-a-
English
Etymology 1
From of a (as in half-a-crown) or of (as in jack-a-napes from Middle English Jak of Naples). Some terms have fully incorporated the use, as ragamuffin and jackanape(s); others arise from mistaken assimilation to the form, as all-a-gog and cock-a-leekie.
Interfix
-a-
- Connective interfix used in forming compounds, often no longer carrying a distinct meaning.
- Synonym: o'
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-
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-
- Connective infix encountered in loanwords and phrases, generally no longer carrying a distinct meaning.
Derived terms
Etymology 4
(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)
Infix
-a-
Etymology 5
The vowel of rat.
Infix
-a-
- (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
Prefix
-a-
- 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-
- A suffix-initial vowel (or linking vowel) inserted interconsonantally between the word stem and the suffix, to ease pronunciation, without contributing to the meaning.
See also
- English lemmas
- English interfixes
- English terms inherited from Middle English
- English terms derived from Middle English
- English conjunctions
- English terms borrowed from French
- English terms derived from French
- English infixes
- en:Chemistry
- en:Pharmacology
- en:Medicine
- Chichewa lemmas
- Chichewa prefixes
- Hungarian lemmas
- Hungarian interfixes