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Definition 2024


-a-

-a-

See also: Appendix:Variations of "a"

English

Infix

-a-

  1. Connective infix used in forming compounds, often no longer carrying a distinct meaning.
Synonyms
Derived terms

Etymology 2

From earlier a (attested by the 14th c.), as a contraction of and and its various Middle English forms.

Conjunction

-a-

  1. And
    • 1746, Exmoor Scolding 3rd ed., 81
      Chem a laced well-a-fine aread
Synonyms

Etymology 3

From French à (various prepositions) and related prepositions in other Romance languages. Also from related misunderstandings, as all-a-mort from French à la morte.

Alternative forms

Infix

-a-

  1. Connective infix encountered in loanwords and phrases, generally no longer carrying a distinct meaning.
Derived terms

Etymology 4

Infix

-a-

  1. (chemistry) Replacing carbon especially in a ring.

Etymology 5

The vowel of rat

Infix

-a-

  1. (pharmacology) A monoclonal antibody derived from a rat.
Related terms
  • -mab is the base suffix common to all monoclonal antibodies

References

    • USP Dictionary of USAN and International Drug Names, U.S. Pharmacopeia, 2000

    Chichewa

    Infix

    -a-

    1. Forms the past perfect tense in verbs.

    Usage notes

    This contrasts with the simple past, -na-/-da-, which does not imply completion.


    Hungarian

    Interfix

    -a-

    1. A suffix-initial vowel (or linking vowel) inserted interconsonantally between the word stem and the suffix, to ease pronunciation, without contributing to the meaning.
      fiatal (young) + -a- + -bbfiatalabb (younger)

    See also