Alpha-privative words

1. Alpha-privative words wk. 22

2. A or alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet. When used as a prefix, “a” deprives a word or root of its positive force and gives it a negative meaning. • The prefix “an” is used instead of “a” when the root or word begins with a vowel. • Examples: a + social = asocial (not social; not considerate of others) a + symmetrical = asymmetrical (lopsided; not symmetrical) an + archy (root meaning government) = anarchy (absence of government; lawlessness)

3. abyss (n.):

4. abyss (n.): literally, “without bottom”; seemingly bottomless pit or chasm; anything immeasurably deep • agnostic (n.):

5. abyss (n.): literally, “without bottom”; seemingly bottomless pit or chasm; anything immeasurably deep • agnostic (n.): literally, one who does not know; person who believes humans cannot know anything beyond material phenomena, including whether God exists, or how the universe was created. • atheism (n.)

6. abyss (n.): literally, “without bottom”; seemingly bottomless pit or chasm; anything immeasurably deep • agnostic (n.): literally, one who does not know; person who believes humans cannot know anything beyond material phenomena; including whether God exists, or how the universe was created. • atheism (n.) disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or gods.

7. anticlimax (n.):

8. anticlimax (n.): a disappointing end to an exciting or impressive series of events • anomaly (n.):

9. anticlimax (n.): a disappointing end to an exciting or impressive series of events • anomaly (n.): literally, “not regular;” irregularity; abnormality • anemia (n):

10. anticlimax (n.): a disappointing end to an exciting or impressive series of events • anomaly (n.): literally, not regular; irregularity; abnormality • anemia (n.): red cell or hemoglobin deficiency in the circulating blood; paleness; lack of vigor • anesthesia (n):

11. anticlimax (n.): a disappointing end to an exciting or impressive series of events. • anomaly (n.): literally, not regular; irregularity; abnormality • anemia (n.): red cell or hemoglobin deficiency in the circulating blood; paleness; lack of vigor • anesthesia (n): partial or complete loss of the sense of pain, artificially induced by drugs

12. apolitical (adj.):

13. apolitical (adj.): not connected with political matters; uninterested in politics • asylum (n.):

14. apolitical (adj.): not connected with political matters; uninterested in politics • asylum (n.): inviolable place where one can be free from arrest; sanctuary; shelter • atypical (adj.):

15. apolitical (adj.): not connected with political matters; uninterested in politics • asylum (n.): inviolable place where one can be free from arrest; sanctuary; shelter • atypical (adj.): not typical; irregular

16. amnesty (n.):

17. amnesty (n.): general pardoning for political offences against a government • amorphous (adj.):

18. amnesty (n.): general pardoning for political offences against a government • amorphous (adj.): without definite form; shapeless • antipathy (n.):

19. amnesty (n.): general pardoning for political offences against a government • amorphous (adj.): without definite form; shapeless • antipathy (n.): a deep-seated feeling of dislike; aversion.

20. asphyxiation (n.):

21. asphyxiation (n.): literally, “no throbbing;” suffocation • atrophy (n.):

22. asphyxiation (n.): literally, “no throbbing;” suffocation • atrophy (n.): literally, condition of being “without nourishment;” wasting away or decrease in size of a body organ or tissue