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Guzhao67 Posted 14 years ago
Vocabulary

Prefix "A"

Hi: there are some words which seem to me to be linked one way or another, and as a result, they are likely to be synonym but with slights differences. wake and awake, rouse and arouse are just two groups of them. My question is: Is there any best way to grasp the difference of inherent meaning of such pair of words? that is to say, what's the exact meaning of prefix "a" in such cases? The definitions in dictionaries are too "formal" for me, so could you explain as simple as possible, please?
  

Top answer

Unfortunately, you'll have to learn the differences by rote. "Wake" and "rouse" are synonyms (as verbs), but "awake" and "arouse" have very different meanings; "awake" is an adjective, while "arouse" is a verb. If the word is of Greek origin, "a" or "an" means "without".

— Vorpar

  • Unfortunately, you'll have to learn the differences by rote.
  • "Wake" and "rouse" are synonyms (as verbs), but "awake" and "arouse" have very different meanings; "awake" is an adjective, while "arouse" is a verb.
  • If the word is of Greek origin, "a" or "an" means "without".
  • Hydrous (with water) and anhydrous (without water) are an example of this.
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2 Answers
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Unfortunately, you'll have to learn the differences by rote. "Wake" and "rouse" are synonyms (as verbs), but "awake" and "arouse" have very different meanings; "awake" is an adjective, while "arouse" is a verb.

If the word is of Greek origin, "a" or "an" means "without". Hydrous (with water) and anhydrous (without water) are an example of this.
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guzhao67 wake and awake, rouse and arouse
The verbs with the "a" prefix usually have more abstract meanings than the verbs without "a". Consider these examples:

He woke [up] at six o'clock.
He awoke to the realities of life. (= He realised what the realities of life were.)

Don't rouse a sleeping lion. (
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