| Words | Parts of Speech | Meaning/Definition/Similar Words |
|---|---|---|
| a- | A, as a prefix to English words, is derived from various sources. (1) It frequently signifies on or in (from an, a forms of AS. on), denoting a state, as in afoot, on foot, abed, amiss, asleep, aground, aloft, away (AS. onweg), and analogically, ablaze, atremble, etc. (2) AS. of off, from, as in adown (AS. ofd/ne off the dun or hill). (3) AS. a- (Goth. us-, ur-, Ger. er-), usually giving an intensive force, and sometimes the sense of away, on, back, as in arise, abide, ago. (4) Old English y- or i- (corrupted from the AS. inseparable particle ge-, cognate with OHG. ga-, gi-, Goth. ga-), which, as a prefix, made no essential addition to the meaning, as in aware. (5) French a (L. ad to), as in abase, achieve. (6) L. a, ab, abs, from, as in avert. (7) Greek insep. prefix / without, or privative, not, as in abyss, atheist; akin to E. un-. | |
| ab | noun | The fifth month of the Jewish year according to the ecclesiastical reckoning, the eleventh by the civil computation, coinciding nearly with August. |
| ae | Alt. of Ae, A diphthong in the Latin language; used also by the Saxon writers. It answers to the Gr. ai. The Anglo-Saxon short ae was generally replaced by a, the long / by e or ee. In derivatives from Latin words with ae, it is mostly superseded by e. For most words found with this initial combination, the reader will therefore search under the letter E. | |
| ah | interj. | An exclamation, expressive of surprise, pity, complaint, entreaty, contempt, threatening, delight, triumph, etc., according to the manner of utterance. |
| ai | noun | The three-toed sloth (Bradypus tridactylus) of South America. See Sloth. |
| al | adjective | All., Although; if. |
| am | The first person singular of the verb be, in the indicative mode, present tense. See Be. | |
| an | This word is properly an adjective, but is commonly called the indefinite article. It is used before nouns of the singular number only, and signifies one, or any, but somewhat less emphatically. In such expressions as “twice an hour,” “once an age,” a shilling an ounce (see 2d A, 2), it has a distributive force, and is equivalent to each, every., If; — a word used by old English authors. | |
| ar | conj. | Ere; before. |
| as | adverb & conj. | Denoting equality or likeness in kind, degree, or manner; like; similar to; in the same manner with or in which; in accordance with; in proportion to; to the extent or degree in which or to which; equally; no less than; as, ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil; you will reap as you sow; do as you are bidden., In the idea, character, or condition of, — limiting the view to certain attributes or relations; as, virtue considered as virtue; this actor will appear as Hamlet., While; during or at the same time that; when; as, he trembled as he spoke., Because; since; it being the case that., Expressing concession. (Often approaching though in meaning)., That, introducing or expressing a result or consequence, after the correlatives so and such., As if; as though., For instance; by way of example; thus; — used to introduce illustrative phrases, sentences, or citations., Than., Expressing a wish., An ace., A Roman weight, answering to the libra or pound, equal to nearly eleven ounces Troy weight. It was divided into twelve ounces., A Roman copper coin, originally of a pound weight (12 oz.); but reduced, after the first Punic war, to two ounces; in the second Punic war, to one ounce; and afterwards to half an ounce. |
| at | preposition | Primarily, this word expresses the relations of presence, nearness in place or time, or direction toward; as, at the ninth hour; at the house; to aim at a mark. It is less definite than in or on; at the house may be in or near the house. From this original import are derived all the various uses of at., A relation of proximity to, or of presence in or on, something; as, at the door; at your shop; at home; at school; at hand; at sea and on land., The relation of some state or condition; as, at war; at peace; at ease; at your service; at fault; at liberty; at risk; at disadvantage., The relation of some employment or action; occupied with; as, at engraving; at husbandry; at play; at work; at meat (eating); except at puns., The relation of a point or position in a series, or of degree, rate, or value; as, with the thermometer at 80ยก; goods sold at a cheap price; a country estimated at 10,000 square miles; life is short at the longest., The relations of time, age, or order; as, at ten o’clock; at twenty-one; at once; at first., The relations of source, occasion, reason, consequence, or effect; as, at the sight; at this news; merry at anything; at this declaration; at his command; to demand, require, receive, deserve, endure at your hands., Relation of direction toward an object or end; as, look at it; to point at one; to aim at a mark; to throw, strike, shoot, wink, mock, laugh at any one. |
| ax | noun | Alt. of Axe, To ask; to inquire or inquire of. |
| ay | interj. | Ah! alas!, Same as Aye., Yes; yea; — a word expressing assent, or an affirmative answer to a question. It is much used in viva voce voting in legislative bodies, etc., Always; ever; continually; for an indefinite time. |