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a·way [ ə wáy ] CORE MEANING: a grammatical word used to indicate that somebody or something moves so as to leave a particular place
 I really need to spend some time away for a while.
 The truck drove away leaving us stranded.
 The cat scampered away.
 We have an away game next week. |
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1. adverb uninvolved: separated or far from somebody or something
 I try to stay away from trouble.
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2. adverb in different direction: in a different direction from the one somebody was originally facing or looking in
 He turned his face away.
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3. adverb into distance: toward the distance
 pine groves stretching away toward the sea
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4. adverb in future: at a particular time in the future
(
follows a span of time
)
 Thanksgiving is only a week away.
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5. adverb into storage or safekeeping: into the place where something is normally stored or kept safe
 We filed the valuable papers away.
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6. adverb off something: so as to remove or separate something, or so as to be removed or separated
(
follows a verb
)
 a tool to chip away the old paint
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7. adverb to or from somebody: into or out of the possession of somebody or something
(
follows the verb or object of the verb
)
 stopped them from stealing away our clients
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8. adverb until something is used up: so as to make something disappear or be expended
(
follows a verb and precedes the object
)
 frittered away his inheritance
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9. adverb gradually: gradually until something ceases or is no longer noticed
 The music gradually died away.
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10. adverb so as to show change: so that a perceptible change from one thing to another occurs
 a shift away from heavier taxation
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11. adverb without stopping: continuously and usually energetically over a period of time
 hammering away in the garage
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12. adverb in another place: not in a specific place or the place where somebody usually is, especially at home or at work
 I'll be away until Thursday.
 She works away from the office.
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13. adverb in distance or time: as measured in distance or time from here
(
follows a measure or indication of distance or time
)
 He works about 10 minutes away.
 The mountains are not far away.
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14. adverb on opposing team's field: played on an opponent's home field
 Their next three games will be played away.
 Their away record has been very bad this season.
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15. adjective golf farthest from hole: in golf, placed farthest from the hole
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| [ Old English aweg< on weg "on (your) way"] |