a [] -n

  1. the 1st letter of the English alphabet
  2. a graphic representation of this letter
  3. a speech counterpart of orthographic a
  4. the sixth tone of a C-major scale
  5. a graphic device for reproducing the letter a
  6. one designated aesp. as the first in order or class
  7. a grade rating a student's work as superior in quality
  8. one graded or rated with an A
  9. something shaped like the letter A
  10. the one of the four ABO blood groups characterized by the presence of antigens designated by the letter A and by the presence of antibodies against the antigens present in the B blood group
  11. used as a function word before singular nouns when the referent is unspecified
    • a man overboard
    and before number collectives and some numbers
    • a dozen
  12. the same
    • birds of a feather
    • swords all of a length
  13. used as a function word before a singular noun followed by a restrictive modifier
    • a man who was here yesterday
  14. any
    • a man who is sick can't work
  15. used as a function word before a mass noun to denote a particular type or instance
    • a bronze made in ancient times
  16. used as a function word before a proper noun representing an example or type
    • the attractions of a Boston or a Cleveland
  17. used as a function word before a proper noun to indicate limited knowledge about the referent
    • a Mr. Smith called to inquire about the job
  18. used as a function word before a proper noun to distinguish the condition of the referent from a usual, former, or hypothetical condition
    • a triumphant Ms. Jones greeted her supporters
  19. used as a function word with nouns to form adverbial phrases of quantity, amount, or degree
    • felt a bit tired
  20. on, in, at
  21. in, to, or for each
    • twice a week
  22. have
    • I might a had husbands afore now -- John Bunyan
  23. of often attached to the preceding word
    • kind a
    • lott a
  24. absent
  25. acceleration
  26. acre
  27. adult
  28. alto
  29. anode
  30. answer
  31. ante
  32. anterior
  33. are
  34. area
  35. atto-
  36. author

A -abbr

  1. ace
  2. adenine
  3. ampere
  4. argon

aa -abbr

  1. ana

AA -abbr

  1. administrative assistant
  2. Alcoholics Anonymous
  3. antiaircraft
  4. associate in arts
  5. author's alterations

AAA -abbr

  1. Agricultural Adjustment Administration
  2. American Automobile Association

AAAL -abbr

  1. American Academy of Arts and Letters

AAAS -abbr

  1. American Association for the Advancement of Science

AAFP -abbr

  1. American Academy of Family Physicians

aah ['ä, often prolonged and/or followed by ə] -vi, n

  1. to exclaim in amazement, joy, or surprise
    • oohing and aah ing at the fireworks

AAMC -abbr

  1. Association of American Medical Colleges

AAR -abbr

  1. against all risks

aard·vark ['ärd-,värk] -n

  1. a large burrowing nocturnal mammal ( Orycteropus afer) of sub-Saharan Africa that has a long snout, extensible tongue, powerful claws, large ears, and heavy tail and feeds esp. on termites and ants

aard·wolf [-,wu̇lf] -n

  1. a maned striped nocturnal mammal ( Proteles cristatus) of southern and eastern Africa that resembles the related hyenas and feeds chiefly on insects and esp. termites

Aar·on ['a-rən, 'er-ən] -n

  1. a brother of Moses and high priest of the Hebrews

Aa·ron·ic [a-'rä-nik, er-'ä-] -adj

  1. of or stemming from Aaron
  2. of or relating to the lower order of the Mormon priesthood

AARP -abbr

  1. American Association of Retired Persons

AAS -abbr

  1. associate in applied science

AASCU -abbr

  1. American Association of State Colleges and Universities

AAU -abbr

  1. Amateur Athletic Union

AAUP -abbr

  1. American Association of University Professors

AAUW -abbr

  1. American Association of University Women

AAVE -abbr

  1. African-American Vernacular English