-a-
conj, infix, interfix
conj, infix, interfix ·Rare ·Advanced level
Definitions
Interfix
- 1 Connective interfix used in forming compounds, often no longer carrying a distinct meaning. morpheme
Conjunction
- 1 And
"Chem a laced well-a-fine aread"
Infix
- 1 Connective infix encountered in loanwords and phrases, generally no longer carrying a distinct meaning. morpheme
- 2 Replacing carbon, especially in a ring. morpheme
- 3 A monoclonal antibody derived from a rat. morpheme
Synonyms
All synonymsEtymology
Etymology 1
From of a (as in half-a-crown) or of (as in jack-a-napes from Middle English Jak of Naples). Some terms have fully incorporated the use, as ragamuffin and jackanape(s); others arise from mistaken assimilation to the form, as all-a-gog and cock-a-leekie.
Etymology 2
From earlier a (attested by the 14th c.), as a contraction of and and its various Middle English forms.
Etymology 3
From French à (“various prepositions”) and related prepositions in other Romance languages. Also from related misunderstandings, as all-a-mort from French à la morte.
Etymology 4
Clipping of rat.
Related phrases
More for "-a-"
Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.