a- en · X · etymology 2
Pronunciation
- (US) audio
- /ə/
Etymology
From Middle English a- (“on”), derived from unstressed Middle English an (“on”), from Old English an (“on”). See a (preposition, on, to, in, etc.)
Meanings
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(idiomatic, morpheme, rare) In, on, at; used to show a state, condition, or manner. Also passing into sense 2.
aglow, apace, afire, aboil, a-bling, abluster
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(idiomatic, morpheme) In, into. Also passing into sense 5.
asunder
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(morpheme) In the direction of, or toward.
astern, abeam
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(archaic, dialectal, morpheme) At such a time.
Come a-morning we are going hunting.
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(archaic, dialectal, morpheme) In the act or process of. Used in some dialects before a present participle.
doins a-transpirin
circa 1850, Here We Come A-wassailing/Here We Come A-caroling Here we come a-wassailing Among the leaves so green; Here we come a-wand’ring So fair to be seen.
The hay is a-cutting now. You're a-wanting.
1947, A NORTH-COUNTY DUBLIN CLOSSARYOh waste no words a-wooing The soft sleep to your bed;
1939, Alfred Edward Housman, Additional Poems, XIII, lines 6-7:The order is rapidly fadin' And the first one now will later be last For the times they are a-changin'
1964, Bob Dylan, "The Times They Are a-Changin' " (recorded 1963, released 1964)The twelfth day of Christmas, My true love sent to me Twelve lords a-leaping, … Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying,
1780, The Twelve Days of Christmashits a-poppin
If the van’s a-rockin’, don’t come a-knockin’.
circa 1970, bumper sticker