About Us | Privacy | Site Map
May 24, 2013
Font Size
A
A
A

Definition of An-

An-: Prefix very much employed in medicine and all of the health sciences, indicating "not, without, or -less."

For example, the prefix "an" figures into these words: anemia (without blood), anophthalmia (no eye), anotia (no ear), anoxia (no oxygen).

The "an-" usually becomes "a-" before a consonant as, for example, in alexia (not read), aphagia (not eat), aphonia (not voice, voiceless).

The prefix "an-" comes from the Greek meaning "not."

Source: MedTerms™ Medical Dictionary
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=16306
Last Editorial Review: 4/27/2011 5:27:15 PM

Medical Dictionary Definitions A - Z

Search Medical Dictionary

Women's Health

Find out what women really need.

Please acknowledge your agreement





Medical Dictionary


Use Pill Finder Find it Now

Pill Identifier on RxList

  • quick, easy,
    pill identification

Find a Local Pharmacy

  • including 24 hour, pharmacies