Emily Dickinson Lexicon

ON, adv.

1. Forward, in progression; as, move on; go on.
2. Forward, in succession. From father to son, from the son to the grandson, and so on.
3. In continuance; without interruption or ceasing; as, sleep on, take your ease; say on; sing on; write on.
4. Adhering; not off; as in the phrase, “he is neither on nor off,” that is, he is not steady; he is irresolute.
5. Attached to the body; as, his clothes are not on. To put on, to attach to the body, as clothes or arms. On, when it expresses contact with the surface of a thing, is opposed to under, off, or within, and when it expresses contact with the side of a thing, is opposed to off. On is sometimes used as an exclamation, or rather as a command to move or proceed, some verb being understood; as cheerly on, courageous friends; that is, go on, move on.