Greek · prefix
a-
not, without
Forms
- a-
- an- — Usually used before a vowel in Greek.
Origin
Reconstructed Proto-Indo-European *n̥-, ‘not.’
Note
Often expresses absence of a quality, without implying its opposite.
Words sharing this root
adiabaticOccurring without heat transfer to or from the surroundings.agnosticDeclining to claim certainty about something considered unknowable.amaranthA flowering plant grown for edible seeds or leaves and colorful blooms.amethystA purple gemstone variety of quartz.amnesiaLoss of memory.amnestyAn official pardon for a group of people, especially for political offenses.arrhythmiaAn abnormal rhythm of the heartbeat.asbestosA fibrous, fire-resistant mineral once widely used in insulation.asphyxiaA life-threatening lack of oxygen that can cause unconsciousness or death.atomThe smallest particle retaining the identity of a chemical element.