Meaning

(no longer productive) Forming verbs with the sense away, up, on, out..

Definitions by Sense

1. (no longer productive) Forming verbs with the sense away, up, on, out.
2. (no longer productive) Forming verbs with the sense of intensified action.
3. (rare or no longer productive) In, on, at; used to show a state, condition, or manner. Also passing into sense 2.
4. (no longer productive) In, into. Also passing into sense 5.
5. In the direction of, or toward.
6. (archaic or dialectal) At such a time.
7. (archaic or dialectal) In the act or process of. Used in some dialects before a present participle.
8. (archaic and dialectal) Alternative form of y-. In dialect, it is sometimes conflated with sense 5 of the previous definition, and is used as a general indicator of a participle.

Example Sentences

arise, await

abide, amaze

aglow, apace, afire, aboil, a-bling, abluster

asunder

astern, abeam

Come a-morning we are going hunting.

hits a-poppin

doins a-transpirin

Word Forms

• i-

Synonyms for a-

Related Words

When Should You Use A-?

Use a- when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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