an
UK: ən | US: ən
Definition
indef. art. used before a vowel sound to mean "one" or "any"
indef. art. used to introduce a singular noun representing a general class
Structure
a <one>n <euphonic addition>
Etymology
The word "an" evolved from Old English "ān," meaning "one." Over time, the vowel lengthened, and the spelling simplified. Before vowel sounds, "a" acquired an extra "n" for smoother pronunciation (e.g., "an apple" vs. "a book"). This euphonic adjustment reflects natural speech patterns rather than a distinct morpheme.
Examples
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