Tuesday, October 18, 2011

1672 - a

'a'... What exactly does it mean when it's stuck on the front of a word? How do you find out? Well you find out by (this is a secret so cover the screen) by sticking a dash (-) after the prefix you're looking for. So a- gets all the info in any online dictionary.

And here's the interesting info.


a- or an-
pref.
Without; not: amoral.


I knew that one.

pref.
1. On; in: abed.
2. In the act of: aborning.
3. In the direction of: astern.
4. In a specified state or condition: abuzz.


This was a new one for me. Even though I've heard the last two examples, the first two were new to me. (and weird sounding)

prefix
1. on; in; towards: afoot abed aground aback
2. Literary or archaic (used before a present participle) in the act or process of: come a-running go a-hunting
3. in the condition or state of: afloat alive asleep


Again, heard of some of the examples. I never thought of (3.) everyday words being 'a' words like amoral.

There will be a surprise test at a later date.

 

5 comments:

Lizbeth said...

OMG, that just hurt my brain.

John A Hill said...

Amen!

Mike said...

L - Remember, there's going to be a test.

J - Does that mean 'not' man? I know I know, it doesn't. Have you ever looked up amen in the dictionary? (from Greek, from Hebrew: certainly, verily)

Amanda said...

Ah...you're helping Bilbo out with the linguistic lessons.

Thats was more then I every knew about the humble 'a'.

Mike said...

A - And no comment from Bilbo. I must have confused him. Aright?