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alpha privative

al·pha priv·a·tive
A a

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [al-fuh priv-uh-tiv]
    • /ˈæl fə ˈprɪv ə tɪv/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [al-fuh priv-uh-tiv]
    • /ˈæl fə ˈprɪv ə tɪv/

Definitions of alpha privative words

  • noun alpha privative (in Greek grammar) the letter alpha (or an- before vowels) used as a negative or privative prefix. It appears in English words derived from Greek, as in atheist, anaesthetic 3
  • noun alpha privative the prefix a- or, before a vowel, an-, used in Greek and English to express negation or absence. 1
  • noun alpha privative (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. 0
  • noun alpha privative (grammar) A word formed using such prefixes. 0

Information block about the term

Origin of alpha privative

First appearance:

before 1580
One of the 35% oldest English words
First recorded in 1580-90

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Alpha privative

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

alpha privative popularity

A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 31% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.
According to our data about 63% of words is more used. This is a rare but used term. It occurs in the pages of specialized literature and in the speech of educated people.

alpha privative usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

See also

Matching words

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