Jump to content

ἀ-

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
See also: α-, ά-, and ἁ-

Ancient Greek

[edit]

Pronunciation

[edit]
 

Etymology 1

[edit]

    From Proto-Hellenic *ə-, from Proto-Indo-European *n̥-. The form ἀν- (an-) appears when followed by a laryngeal and a vowel: that is, in an open syllable of the *n̥HV- form. Akin to νη- (nē-), νᾱ- (nā-) and νω- (nō-), which are closed-syllable reflexes of the *n̥h₁C-, *n̥h₂C-, *n̥h₃C- forms, respectively.

    Cognate with Old English and English un-, Latin in-, Sanskrit अ- (a-), Old Irish in-, an-, Armenian ան- (an-), and Albanian e-.

    Alternative forms

    [edit]
    • ἀν- (an-)before vowels
    • νη- (nē-), νᾱ- (nā-), νω- (nō-)before a Proto-Indo-European laryngeal and consonant

    Prefix

    [edit]

    ᾰ̓- (ă-)

    1. The alpha privativum, used to make words that have a sense opposite to the word (or stem) to which the prefix is attached. It is also known as privative a and alpha privative; a-, ab-, an-, anti-, contra-, de-, dis-, ex-, il-, im-, in-, ob-, ne-, non-, not, un-
    Usage notes
    [edit]

    The alpha is usually short, but long when added to a stem that begins with three short syllables. Thus, words such as ἀ-δάματος (a-dámatos) begin with long alpha in Epic, and frequently also in Lyric, Tragic, or Comic poetry. ἀθάνατος (athánatos) and all its compounds always have long alpha.

    Derived terms
    [edit]
    Descendants
    [edit]
    • > Greek: α- (a-) (inherited)
    • Norwegian Bokmål: a-
    • Pontic Greek: α- (a-)

    Etymology 2

    [edit]

    Prefix

    [edit]

    ᾰ̓- (ă-)

    1. Alternative form of ἁ- (ha-)

    Etymology 3

    [edit]

    (This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

    Prefix

    [edit]

    ᾰ̓- (ă-)

    1. The alpha intensivum, used to strengthen the force of compounds.

    Etymology 4

    [edit]

    (This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

    Prefix

    [edit]

    ᾰ̓- (ă-)

    1. The alpha euphonicum, used to soften pronunciation before two consonants.

    References

    [edit]