·- A, as a prefix to English words, is derived from various sources. (1) It frequently signifies on or in (from an, a forms of ·AS on), denoting a state, as in afoot, on foot, abed, amiss, asleep, aground, aloft, away (·AS onweg), and analogically, ablaze, atremble, ·etc. (2) ·AS of off, from, as in adown (·AS ofd/ne off the dun or hill). (3) ·AS a- (·Goth. us-, ur-, ·Ger. er-), usually giving an intensive force, and sometimes the sense of away, on, back, as in arise, abide, ago. (4) ·OF y- or i- (corrupted from the ·AS inseparable particle ge-, cognate with OHG. ga-, gi-, ·Goth. ga-), which, as a prefix, made no essential addition to the meaning, as in aware. (5) ·Fr. a (·Lat. ad to), as in abase, achieve. (6) ·Lat. a, ab, abs, from, as in avert. (7) Greek insep. prefix / without, or privative, not, as in abyss, atheist; akin to ·Eng. un-.