English Dictionary

alpha privative

noun

(grammar) The prefix a- (or an- when prefixing a root which begins with a vowel) found in some English words of Greek derivation. It expresses negation or absence. The prefix has cognates in other Indo-European languages, including in- in Latin and un- in English.

The word 'anarchy' is an example of an alpha privative.

意味（1）

(grammar) The prefix a- (or an- when prefixing a root which begins with a vowel) found in some English words of Greek derivation. It expresses negation or absence. The prefix has cognates in other Indo-European languages, including in- in Latin and un- in English.

意味（2）

(grammar) A word formed using such prefixes.