I. ə prefix
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English
1. : on : in : at
a bed
2. : in (such) a state or condition
a fire
3. : in (such) a manner
a loud
4. : in the act or process of
gone a- hunting
a tingle
II. (ˈ)ā also (ˈ)a or (ˈ)ä prefix
or an- (ˈ)an
Etymology: Latin & Greek; Latin, from Greek — more at un-
: not : without
a sexual
— a- before consonants other than h and sometimes even before h, an- before vowels and usually before h
a chromatic
a historical
an astigmatic
an hydrous