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1. WordNet® 3.0 (2006)
out of the way
    adv 1: extraordinary; unusual; "such erratic behavior was out of
           the way for him"
    2: improper; amiss;
    3: in a remote location or at a distance from the usual route;
       "the restaurant is top-notch, but a little out of the way"
    4: murdered; "the mob boss wanted his rival out of the way"
    5: dealt with; disposed of; "I'm so relieved that my midterm is
       out of the way"
    6: so as not to obstruct or hinder; "put that box out of the way
       so that no one trips on it"

2. The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Out \Out\ (out), adv. [OE. out, ut, oute, ute, AS. [=u]t, and
   [=u]te, [=u]tan, fr. [=u]t; akin to D. uit, OS. [=u]t, G.
   aus, OHG. [=u]z, Icel. [=u]t, Sw. ut, Dan. ud, Goth. ut, Skr.
   ud. [root]198. Cf. About, But, prep., Carouse, Utter,
   a.]
   In its original and strict sense, out means from the interior
   of something; beyond the limits or boundary of somethings; in
   a position or relation which is exterior to something; --
   opposed to in or into. The something may be expressed
   after of, from, etc. (see Out of, below); or, if not
   expressed, it is implied; as, he is out; or, he is out of the
   house, office, business, etc.; he came out; or, he came out
   from the ship, meeting, sect, party, etc. Out is used in a
   variety of applications, as: 
   [1913 Webster]

   1. Away; abroad; off; from home, or from a certain, or a
      usual, place; not in; not in a particular, or a usual,
      place; as, the proprietor is out, his team was taken out.
      Opposite of in. "My shoulder blade is out." --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

            He hath been out (of the country) nine years.
                                                  --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Beyond the limits of concealment, confinement, privacy,
      constraint, etc., actual or figurative; hence, not in
      concealment, constraint, etc., in, or into, a state of
      freedom, openness, disclosure, publicity, etc.; a matter
      of public knowledge; as, the sun shines out; he laughed
      out, to be out at the elbows; the secret has leaked out,
      or is out; the disease broke out on his face; the book is
      out.
      [1913 Webster]

            Leaves are out and perfect in a month. --Bacon.
      [1913 Webster]

            She has not been out [in general society] very long.
                                                  --H. James.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. Beyond the limit of existence, continuance, or supply; to
      the end; completely; hence, in, or into, a condition of
      extinction, exhaustion, completion; as, the fuel, or the
      fire, has burned out; that style is on the way out. "Hear
      me out." --Dryden.
      [1913 Webster]

            Deceitful men shall not live out half their days.
                                                  --Ps. iv. 23.
      [1913 Webster]

            When the butt is out, we will drink water. --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. Beyond possession, control, or occupation; hence, in, or
      into, a state of want, loss, or deprivation; -- used of
      office, business, property, knowledge, etc.; as, the
      Democrats went out and the Whigs came in; he put his money
      out at interest. "Land that is out at rack rent." --Locke.
      "He was out fifty pounds." --Bp. Fell.
      [1913 Webster]

            I have forgot my part, and I am out.  --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   5. Beyond the bounds of what is true, reasonable, correct,
      proper, common, etc.; in error or mistake; in a wrong or
      incorrect position or opinion; in a state of disagreement,
      opposition, etc.; in an inharmonious relation. "Lancelot
      and I are out." --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

            Wicked men are strangely out in the calculating of
            their own interest.                   --South.
      [1913 Webster]

            Very seldom out, in these his guesses. --Addison.
      [1913 Webster]

   6. Not in the position to score in playing a game; not in the
      state or turn of the play for counting or gaining scores.
      [1913 Webster]

   7. Out of fashion; unfashionable; no longer in current vogue;
      unpopular.
      [PJC]

   Note: Out is largely used in composition as a prefix, with
         the same significations that it has as a separate word;
         as outbound, outbreak, outbuilding, outcome, outdo,
         outdoor, outfield. See also the first Note under
         Over, adv.
         [1913 Webster]

   Day in, day out, from the beginning to the limit of each of
      several days; day by day; every day.

   Out at, Out in, Out on, etc., elliptical phrases, that
      to which out refers as a source, origin, etc., being
      omitted; as, out (of the house and) at the barn; out (of
      the house, road, fields, etc., and) in the woods.

            Three fishers went sailing out into the west,
            Out into the west, as the sun went down. --C.
                                                  Kingsley.

   Note: In these lines after out may be understood, "of the
         harbor," "from the shore," "of sight," or some similar
         phrase. The complete construction is seen in the
         saying: "Out of the frying pan into the fire."

   Out from, a construction similar to out of (below). See
      Of and From.

   Out of, a phrase which may be considered either as composed
      of an adverb and a preposition, each having its
      appropriate office in the sentence, or as a compound
      preposition. Considered as a preposition, it denotes, with
      verbs of movement or action, from the interior of; beyond
      the limit: from; hence, origin, source, motive, departure,
      separation, loss, etc.; -- opposed to in or into; also
      with verbs of being, the state of being derived, removed,
      or separated from. Examples may be found in the phrases
      below, and also under Vocabulary words; as, out of breath;
      out of countenance.

   Out of cess, beyond measure, excessively. --Shak.

   Out of character, unbecoming; improper.

   Out of conceit with, not pleased with. See under Conceit.
      

   Out of date, not timely; unfashionable; antiquated.

   Out of door, Out of doors, beyond the doors; from the
      house; not inside a building; in, or into, the open air;
      hence, figuratively, shut out; dismissed. See under
      Door, also, Out-of-door, Outdoor, Outdoors, in the
      Vocabulary. "He 's quality, and the question's out of
      door," --Dryden.

   Out of favor, disliked; under displeasure.

   Out of frame, not in correct order or condition; irregular;
      disarranged. --Latimer.

   Out of hand, immediately; without delay or preparation;
      without hesitation or debate; as, to dismiss a suggestion
      out of hand. "Ananias . . . fell down and died out of
      hand." --Latimer.

   Out of harm's way, beyond the danger limit; in a safe
      place.

   Out of joint, not in proper connection or adjustment;
      unhinged; disordered. "The time is out of joint." --Shak.

   Out of mind, not in mind; forgotten; also, beyond the limit
      of memory; as, time out of mind.

   Out of one's head, beyond commanding one's mental powers;
      in a wandering state mentally; delirious. [Colloq.]

   Out of one's time, beyond one's period of minority or
      apprenticeship.

   Out of order, not in proper order; disarranged; in
      confusion.

   Out of place, not in the usual or proper place; hence, not
      proper or becoming.

   Out of pocket, in a condition of having expended or lost
      more money than one has received.

   Out of print, not in market, the edition printed being
      exhausted; -- said of books, pamphlets, etc.

   Out of the question, beyond the limits or range of
      consideration; impossible to be favorably considered.

   Out of reach, beyond one's reach; inaccessible.

   Out of season, not in a proper season or time; untimely;
      inopportune.

   Out of sorts, wanting certain things; unsatisfied; unwell;
      unhappy; cross. See under Sort, n.

   Out of temper, not in good temper; irritated; angry.

   Out of time, not in proper time; too soon, or too late.

   Out of time, not in harmony; discordant; hence, not in an
      agreeing temper; fretful.

   Out of twist, Out of winding, or Out of wind, not in
      warped condition; perfectly plain and smooth; -- said of
      surfaces.

   Out of use, not in use; unfashionable; obsolete.

   Out of the way.
      (a) On one side; hard to reach or find; secluded.
      (b) Improper; unusual; wrong.

   Out of the woods, not in a place, or state, of obscurity or
      doubt; free from difficulty or perils; safe. [Colloq.]

   Out to out, from one extreme limit to another, including
      the whole length, breadth, or thickness; -- applied to
      measurements.

   Out West, in or towards, the West; specifically, in some
      Western State or Territory. [U. S.]

   To come out, To cut out, To fall out, etc. See under
      Come, Cut, Fall, etc.

   To make out See to make out under make, v. t. and v.
      i..

   To put out of the way, to kill; to destroy.

   Week in, week out. See Day in, day out (above).
      [1913 Webster]

3. The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Way \Way\, n. [OE. wey, way, AS. weg; akin to OS., D., OHG., &
   G. weg, Icel. vegr, Sw. v[aum]g, Dan. vei, Goth. wigs, L.
   via, and AS. wegan to move, L. vehere to carry, Skr. vah.
   [root]136. Cf. Convex, Inveigh, Vehicle, Vex, Via,
   Voyage, Wag, Wagon, Wee, Weigh.]
   [1913 Webster]
   1. That by, upon, or along, which one passes or processes;
      opportunity or room to pass; place of passing; passage;
      road, street, track, or path of any kind; as, they built a
      way to the mine. "To find the way to heaven." --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

            I shall him seek by way and eke by street.
                                                  --Chaucer.
      [1913 Webster]

            The way seems difficult, and steep to scale.
                                                  --Milton.
      [1913 Webster]

            The season and ways were very improper for his
            majesty's forces to march so great a distance.
                                                  --Evelyn.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Length of space; distance; interval; as, a great way; a
      long way.
      [1913 Webster]

            And whenever the way seemed long,
            Or his heart began to fail.           --Longfellow.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. A moving; passage; procession; journey.
      [1913 Webster]

            I prythee, now, lead the way.         --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. Course or direction of motion or process; tendency of
      action; advance.
      [1913 Webster]

            If that way be your walk, you have not far.
                                                  --Milton.
      [1913 Webster]

            And let eternal justice take the way. --Dryden.
      [1913 Webster]

   5. The means by which anything is reached, or anything is
      accomplished; scheme; device; plan.
      [1913 Webster]

            My best way is to creep under his gaberdine. --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

            By noble ways we conquest will prepare. --Dryden.
      [1913 Webster]

            What impious ways my wishes took!     --Prior.
      [1913 Webster]

   6. Manner; method; mode; fashion; style; as, the way of
      expressing one's ideas.
      [1913 Webster]

   7. Regular course; habitual method of life or action; plan of
      conduct; mode of dealing. "Having lost the way of
      nobleness." --Sir. P. Sidney.
      [1913 Webster]

            Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths
            are peace.                            --Prov. iii.
                                                  17.
      [1913 Webster]

            When men lived in a grander way.      --Longfellow.
      [1913 Webster]

   8. Sphere or scope of observation. --Jer. Taylor.
      [1913 Webster]

            The public ministers that fell in my way. --Sir W.
                                                  Temple.
      [1913 Webster]

   9. Determined course; resolved mode of action or conduct; as,
      to have one's way.
      [1913 Webster]

   10. (Naut.)
       (a) Progress; as, a ship has way.
       (b) pl. The timbers on which a ship is launched.
           [1913 Webster]

   11. pl. (Mach.) The longitudinal guides, or guiding surfaces,
       on the bed of a planer, lathe, or the like, along which a
       table or carriage moves.
       [1913 Webster]

   12. (Law) Right of way. See below.
       [1913 Webster]

   By the way, in passing; apropos; aside; apart from, though
      connected with, the main object or subject of discourse.
      

   By way of, for the purpose of; as being; in character of.
      

   Covert way. (Fort.) See Covered way, under Covered.

   In the family way. See under Family.

   In the way, so as to meet, fall in with, obstruct, hinder,
      etc.

   In the way with, traveling or going with; meeting or being
      with; in the presence of.

   Milky way. (Astron.) See Galaxy, 1.

   No way, No ways. See Noway, Noways, in the
      Vocabulary.

   On the way, traveling or going; hence, in process;
      advancing toward completion; as, on the way to this
      country; on the way to success.

   Out of the way. See under Out.

   Right of way (Law), a right of private passage over
      another's ground. It may arise either by grant or
      prescription. It may be attached to a house, entry, gate,
      well, or city lot, as well as to a country farm. --Kent.
      

   To be under way, or To have way (Naut.), to be in motion,
      as when a ship begins to move.

   To give way. See under Give.

   To go one's way, or To come one's way, to go or come; to
      depart or come along. --Shak.

   To go one's way to proceed in a manner favorable to one; --
      of events.

   To come one's way to come into one's possession (of
      objects) or to become available, as an opportunity; as,
      good things will come your way.

   To go the way of all the earth or

   to go the way of all flesh to die.

   To make one's way, to advance in life by one's personal
      efforts.

   To make way. See under Make, v. t.

   Ways and means.
       (a) Methods; resources; facilities.
       (b) (Legislation) Means for raising money; resources for
           revenue.

   Way leave, permission to cross, or a right of way across,
      land; also, rent paid for such right. [Eng]

   Way of the cross (Eccl.), the course taken in visiting in
      rotation the stations of the cross. See Station, n., 7
       (c) .

   Way of the rounds (Fort.), a space left for the passage of
      the rounds between a rampart and the wall of a fortified
      town.

   Way pane, a pane for cartage in irrigated land. See Pane,
      n., 4. [Prov. Eng.]

   Way passenger, a passenger taken up, or set down, at some
      intermediate place between the principal stations on a
      line of travel.

   Ways of God, his providential government, or his works.

   Way station, an intermediate station between principal
      stations on a line of travel, especially on a railroad.

   Way train, a train which stops at the intermediate, or way,
      stations; an accommodation train.

   Way warden, the surveyor of a road.
      [1913 Webster]

   Syn: Street; highway; road.

   Usage: Way, Street, Highway, Road. Way is generic,
          denoting any line for passage or conveyance; a highway
          is literally one raised for the sake of dryness and
          convenience in traveling; a road is, strictly, a way
          for horses and carriages; a street is, etymologically,
          a paved way, as early made in towns and cities; and,
          hence, the word is distinctively applied to roads or
          highways in compact settlements.
          [1913 Webster]

                All keep the broad highway, and take delight
                With many rather for to go astray. --Spenser.
          [1913 Webster]

                There is but one road by which to climb up.
                                                  --Addison.
          [1913 Webster]

                When night
                Darkens the streets, then wander forth the sons
                Of Belial, flown with insolence and wine.
                                                  --Milton.
          [1913 Webster]

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