a

noun, often capitalized, often attributive

\ ˈā

plural a's or as\ ˈāz

Definition of a

(Entry 1 of 13)

1a : the 1st letter of the English alphabet

b : a graphic representation of this letter

c : a speech counterpart of orthographic a

2 : the sixth tone of a C-major scale

3 : a graphic device for reproducing the letter a

4 : one designated a especially as the first in order or class

5a : a grade rating a student's work as superior in quality

b : one graded or rated with an A

6 : something shaped like the letter A

7 capitalized : the one of the four ABO blood groups characterized by the presence of antigens designated by the letter A and by the presence of antibodies against the antigens present in the B blood group

indefinite article

\ ə, (ˈ)ā

, Canadian ˈa\

Definition of a (Entry 2 of 13)

1 —used as a function word before singular nouns when the referent is unspecified a man overboard and before number collectives and some numbers a dozen

2 : the same birds of a feather swords all of a length

3a —used as a function word before a singular noun followed by a restrictive modifier a man who was here yesterday

b : any a person who is sick can't work

c —used as a function word before a mass noun to denote a particular type or instance a bronze made in ancient times

d —used as a function word before a proper noun representing an example or type the attractions of a Boston or a Cleveland

e —used as a function word before a proper noun to indicate limited knowledge about the referent a Mr. Smith called to inquire about the job

f —used as a function word before a proper noun to distinguish the condition of the referent from a usual, former, or hypothetical condition a triumphant Ms. Jones greeted her supporters

g —used before the name of a day of the week to refer to one occurrence of it Christmas falls on a Tuesday this year.

h —used before the name of a person (such as a famous artist) when the name is being used to refer to something (such as a painting) created by that person Her violin is a Stradivarius.

i —used before a family name to show that someone is a member of that family To be a Kennedy is to lead two lives …— Margaret Carlson

4 —used as a function word with nouns to form adverbial phrases of quantity, amount, or degree felt a bit tired

preposition (1)

\ ə also (ˈ)ā

Definition of a (Entry 3 of 13)

1 : in, to, or for each twice a week

2 chiefly dialectal : on, in, at

preposition (2)

\ ə\

Definition of a (Entry 4 of 13)

: of —often attached to the preceding word kindalotta

verb

\ ə, (ˌ)a

Definition of a (Entry 5 of 13)

archaic

: have I might a had husbands afore now— John Bunyan

abbreviation (1)

Definition of a (Entry 6 of 13)

1 absent

2 acceleration

3 acre

4 adult

5 alto

6 chemistry amorphous —usually used in combination a-Si

7 anode

8 answer

9 ante

10 anterior

11 are

12 area

13 atto-

14 author

prefix (1)

\ ə\

Definition of a- (Entry 7 of 13)

1 : on : in : at abed

2 : in (such) a state or condition afire

3 : in (such) a manner aloud

4 : in the act or process of gone a-hunting atingle

prefix (2)

\ (ˈ)ā also (ˈ)a or (ˈ)ä\

variants: or an- \ (ˈ)an \

Definition of a- (Entry 8 of 13)

: not : without asexual —a- before consonants other than h and sometimes even before h, an- before vowels and usually before h achromaticahistoricalanastigmaticanhydrous

a

Definition of a

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