a
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1a
noun, often capitalized often attributive \ˈā\ plural a's or as\ˈāz\
Definition of A
1
a : 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
5
a : 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
See Examples of A
- a word that begins with an a
- a word that begins with a
- a song in the key of A
- She got an A on the exam.
First Known Use of A
before 12th century
Rhymes with A
ae, bay, bey, blae, brae, bray, chez, clay, Cray, day, dey, dray, eh, fay, fey, flay, fley, frae, fray, Frey, gay, Gay, gey, gley, gray, hay, he, hey, Hue, j, jay, Jay, k, kay, Kay, lay, lei, may, nay, né, née, neigh, Ney, pay, pe, play, pray, prey, qua, quai, quay, Rae, ray, re, say, shay, slay, sleigh, spae, spay, Spey, splay, spray, stay, stray, sway, Tay, they, tray, trey, way, weigh, whey, yea
2a
indefinite article \ə, (ˈ)ā, Canada ˈa\Definition of A
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>
3
a —used as a function word before a singular noun followed by a restrictive modifier <a man who was here yesterday> b : any <a man 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>
4
—used as a function word with nouns to form adverbial phrases of quantity, amount, or degree <felt a bit tired>
Usage Discussion of A
In speech and writing a is used before a consonant sound <a door> <a human>. Before a vowel sound an is usual <an icicle> <an honor> but especially in speech a is used occasionally, more often in some dialects than in others <a apple> <a hour> <a obligation>. Before a consonant sound represented by a vowel letter a is usual <a one> <a union> but an also occurs though less frequently now than formerly <an unique> <such an one>. Before unstressed or weakly stressed syllables with initial h both a and an are used in writing <a historic> <an historic>. In the King James Version of the Old Testament and occasionally in writing and speech an is used before h in a stressed syllable <an huntress> <an hundred> <children are an heritage of the Lord — Psalms 127:3(Authorized Version)>.
Origin of A
Middle English, from Old English ān one — more at one
First Known Use: before 12th century
3a
preposition \ə also (ˈ)ā\Definition of A
2
: in, to, or for each <twice a week>
See Usage Discussion at 2a
Origin of A
Middle English, from Old English a-, an, on
First Known Use: before 12th century
4a
verb \ə, (ˌ)a\Definition of A
archaic : have <I might a had husbands afore now — John Bunyan>
Origin of A
Middle English, contraction of have
First Known Use: 14th century
5a
preposition \ə\Definition of A
: of —often attached to the preceding word <kinda> <lotta>
Origin of A
Middle English, by contraction
First Known Use: 15th century
6a
abbreviationDefinition of A
1
absent
2
acceleration
3
acre
4
adult
5
alto
6
anode
7
answer
8
ante
9
anterior
10
are
11
area
12
atto-
13
author
A
abbreviationDefinition of A
1
ace
2
adenine
3
ampere
A
symbolDefinition of A
argon
Å
abbreviationDefinition of Å
angstrom unit
a
abbreviation (Medical Dictionary)Medical Definition of A
1
about
2
absent
3
absolute
4
absorbency; absorbent
5
accommodation
6
acetum
7
acid; acidity
8
actin
9
active; activity
10
allergist; allergy
11
alpha
12
anode
13
answer
14
ante
15
anterior
16
aqua
17
area
18
artery
19
asymmetric; asymmetry
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