A- ::
A- () A, as a
prefix to
English words, is
derived from
various sources. (1) It
frequently signifies on or in (from an, a forms of AS. on),
denoting a
state, as in
afoot, on foot, abed,
amiss, asleep, aground, aloft, away (AS.
onweg), and
analogically, ablaze, atremble, etc. (2) AS. of off, from, as in adown (AS.
ofd/ne off the dun or
hill). (3) AS. a-
(Goth. us-, ur-, Ger. er-),
usually giving an
intensive force, and
sometimes the sense of away, on, back, as in
arise, abide, ago. (4) Old
English