a
a1 definition
a or A (ā)
- the first letter of the English alphabet: from the Greek alpha, a borrowing from the Phoenician
- any of the speech sounds that this letter represents, as, in English, the vowel (a) of hat, (ä) of father, (ā) of bake, or (ô) of call
- a type or impression for a or A
- the first in a sequence or group
- an object shaped like
adjective
- of a or A
- first in a sequence or group
- shaped like
a Idioms
from A to Z
from beginning to end; completely; exhaustively
a2 definition
a (ə; stressed, ā)
adjective, indefinite article
- one; one sort of we planted a tree
- each; any one [a gun is dangerous]: a connotes a thing not previously noted or recognized, in contrast with the, which connotes a thing previously noted or recognized
Etymology: form of an before consonants: see an, adj.
to each; in each; for each; per once a day
Etymology: < OE an, on, in, on, at
a3 definition
a or a' (ô, ä)
adjective
Scot. all
a4 definition
a
- about
- absent
- Physics acceleration
- active
- adjective
- adult
- alto
- anonymous
- answer
- are (unit of area)
- atto-
A1 definition
A (ā)
noun
- a blood type
- ☆ Educ. a grade indicating excellence an A in history
- Music
- the sixth tone or note in the ascending scale of C major
- a key, string, etc. producing this tone
- the scale having this tone as the keynote
adjective
first-class; A 1
A2 definition
A
- Physics absolute
- adenine
- America(n)
- ampere
- analog
- angstromalso Å
- anode
- answer
- April
- Chem., Archaic argon
- Baseball, Basketball, Hockey assist(s)
- attendance
- August
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Related Discussions (132)
| Topic | Replies | Latest Post |
|---|---|---|
| Help Identifying Symbols on a Ring | 8 | 12 hours ago |
| Just a thought... | 15 | 2 weeks ago |
| In a Pickle. | 11 | 3 weeks ago |
| I need a nifty way to say this | 56 | 3 weeks ago |
| Is a etymologist and lexicongrapher the same thing or something completely different? | 5 | 2 months ago |
See all 132 discussions · Browse Forums
Browse dictionary definitions near a
Share on Facebook
Thank you for your correct pronuciation of "a (ô, ä)" as an adjective ... There has been a ubiquitous trend of media broadcasters and politicians to mispronounce the adjective as "ay" ... The "ay" pronunciation should only be used demonstratively or emphatically to mean "just one" or "one---and only one" ... We now even hear "ay"-nother and "ay"-way!
Posted by anonymous 60 days ago.