A

I. plural A's, a's noun (C) the first letter of the English alphabet II. also an, strong indefinite article, determiner

1 used before a noun that names something or someone that has not been mentioned before, or that the person you are talking to does not know about: Do you have a car? | There's a spider in the bath.

-compare the 1

2

a) used before a noun that is one of a particular group or class of people or things: I want to train to be a teacher.

b) used before someone's family name to show that they belong to that family: Only a Peterson would drive a car like that!

3

a) one: a thousand pounds | a dozen eggs

b) a lot/a few/a little/a great deal etc used before certain words that express an amount of something: There were a lot of people at the party. | A few weeks from now I'll be in Venice.

4 twice a week/$5 a day etc two times each week, $5 each day etc; per: I get paid once a month. | The eggs cost $2 a dozen.

5 used before a noun to mean all things of that type: A square has four sides. (=all squares have four sides)

6 used before two nouns that are mentioned together so often that they are thought of as one thing: a cup and saucer | Does everyone have a knife and fork?

7

a) used before singular nouns, especially words for actions, meaning one example of that action: Take a look at this. | It needs a good clean.

b) used before the -ing form of verbs when they are used as nouns: a crashing of gears

c) used before an uncountable noun when other information about the noun is added by an adjective or phrase: Candidates must have a good knowledge of chemistry. | a beauty that became legendary

8 used before an uncountable noun to mean a type of it: a particularly fine Stilton cheese

9 used before the name of a painter or artist etc meaning a particular painting, sculpture etc by that person: an early Rembrandt

10 used before a name to mean having the same qualities as that person or thing: She was hailed as a new Marilyn Monroe.

11

a) used before someone's name when you do not know who they are: There is a Mr Tom Wilkins on the phone for you. | a certain: A certain Lisa Blair wishes to speak to you.

b) used before names of days, events in the year etc to mean a particular one: I can't remember a Christmas like it.

12 used after such, what, rather and (formal) many to emphasize what you are saying: What a day! I was late for work and my car broke down. | She had spent many a night (=many nights) waiting for him to come home.

III. noun

1 also a (C, U) the sixth note in the musical scale 1 (8) of C major or the musical key 1 (4) based on this note

2 (C) the highest mark that a student can get in an examination or for a piece of work: I got an A in French.

3 an A student AmE someone who regularly gets the best marks possible for their work in school or college

4 from A to B from one place to another: Hiring a car was the best way to get us from A to B.

5 from A to Z describing, including, or knowing everything about a subject: the history of 20th century art from A to Z

6 A3/A4 standard sizes of paper in the European Union

7 (U) a common type of blood

IV. the written abbreviation of amp V. prefix

1 in a particular condition or way: alive (=living) | aloud | with nerves all atingle (=tingling)

2 old use in, to, at, or on something: abed (=in bed) | afar (=far away)

VI. prefix showing an opposite or the absence of something; not; without: amoral (=not moral) | atypically (=not typically) VII. adjective old-fashioned very good or completely healthy: Everything about the resort was A-1.