The definitions OF of.

While singing in church today...or maybe while listening to the sermon, I noticed the word "of". It's really of little importance. But of what is the word derived? I was fascinated to learn that this little two letter word, has not 2, not 4 but 17 definitions or uses of the word of. ;-) Thought you might enjoy a little indulgence of.....OF!

–preposition

1.	(used to indicate distance or direction from, separation, deprivation, etc.): within a mile of the church; south of Omaha; to be robbed of one's money.

2.	(used to indicate derivation, origin, or source): a man of good family; the plays of Shakespeare; a piece of cake.

3.	(used to indicate cause, motive, occasion, or reason): to die of hunger.

4.	(used to indicate material, component parts, substance, or contents): a dress of silk; an apartment of three rooms; a book of poems; a package of cheese.

5.	(used to indicate apposition or identity): Is that idiot of a salesman calling again?

6.	(used to indicate specific identity or a particular item within a category): the city of Chicago; thoughts of love.

7.	(used to indicate possession, connection, or association): the king of France; the property of the church.

8.	(used to indicate inclusion in a number, class, or whole): one of us.

9.	(used to indicate the objective relation, the object of the action noted by the preceding noun or the application of a verb or adjective): the ringing of bells; He writes her of home; I'm tired of working.

10.	(used to indicate reference or respect): There is talk of peace.

11.	(used to indicate qualities or attributes): an ambassador of remarkable tact.

12.	(used to indicate a specified time): They arrived of an evening.

13.	Chiefly Northern U.S. before the hour of; until: twenty minutes of five.

14.	on the part of: It was very mean of you to laugh at me.

15.	in respect to: fleet of foot.

16.	set aside for or devoted to: a minute of prayer.

17.	Archaic. by: consumed of worms.

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Origin:
bef. 900;