-a-
combining form
aza-
combining form
ETYMOLOGY International Scientific Vocabulary
: replacing carbon especially in a ringaza-
-a-
combining form
Etymology: ISV
: replacing carbon especially in a ring — in initial combining forms as second constituent after a first constituent designating a chemical element
< arsa- >
< aza- >
< arsa- >
< aza- >
-a- 1
Infix
- Connective infix used in forming compounds, often no longer carrying a distinct meaning.
Etymology
From of a (as in half-a-crown) or of (as in jack-a-napes from Middle English Jak of Naples). Some terms have fully incorporated the use, as ragamuffin and jackanape(s); others arise from mistaken assimilation to the form, as all-a-gog and cock-a-leekie.
Synonyms
Derived terms
-a- 2
Conjunction
- And 1746, Exmoor Scolding 3rd ed., 81
- Chem a laced well-a-fine aread
Etymology
From earlier a (attested by the 14th c.), as a contraction of and and its various Middle English forms.
Synonyms
-a- 3-à-
Infix
- Connective infix encountered in loanwords and phrases, generally no longer carrying a distinct meaning.
Etymology
From French à (“various prepositions”) and related prepositions in other Romance languages. Also from related misunderstandings, as all-a-mort from French à la morte.
Derived terms
-a- 4
Infix
- chemistry Replacing carbon especially in a ring.
-a- 5
Infix
- pharmacology A monoclonal antibody derived from a rat.
Etymology
The vowel of rat