a-, an- +
(Greek: a prefix meaning: no, absence of, without, lack of, not)
These prefixes are normally used with elements of Greek origin, a- is used before consonants and an- is used before vowels.
It affects the meanings of hundreds of words.
There are too many words that use these prefix elements to list all of them on this site; however, there are significant examples listed in this and the other units where they exist.
anoxia
1. Absence or almost complete absence of oxygen from inspired gases, arterial blood, or tissues.
2. Absence or deficiency of oxygen in body tissues.
anuran
A reference to frogs and toads, all of which have no tail (an- [without] + Greek oura [tail]) and are highly specialized for jumping.
anuria, anuric
Absence of urine formation.
anypnia
Sleeplessness.
apancreatic
Without a pancreas.
aparalytic
Without paralysis; not causing paralysis.
apathetic
1. Relating to a lack of emotion.
2. Descriptive of a lack of interest; a listless condition; unconcern; indifference.
apellous
Without skin.
aphagia
1. Abstention from eating.
2. The inability or refusal to eat or swallow.
3. The inability to swallow; failure to eat or swallow because it causes pain.
aphasia
1. A defect or loss of expression by speech, writing, or signs, or of comprehending spoken or written language, due to injury or disease of the brain centers.
2. One in a group of speech disorders in which there is a defect or loss of the power of expression by speech, writing, or signs, or a defect or loss of the power of comprehension of spoken or written language.
aphobic
Without fear; fearless.
aphonia
A loss of voice due to an organic or functional disorder; voiceless, muteness.
aphosphorosis
A deficiency of dietary phosphorus in animals, particularly grazing cattle.
aphototaxis, aphototactic
The absence of any directed response to a light stimulus in a motile organism; negative phototaxis.
aphrasia
1. The inability to utter or understand words connected in the form of phrases while the ability to understand, single words may be unimpaired; whereas groups of words forming phrases may baffle him/her completely as far as using or understanding them is concerned.
2. Inability to speak, from any cause.
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