an|a

a|na¹ «AY nuh, AH-», noun (plural) or singular.

1. a collection of the memorable sayings or table talk of anyone.

2. notes and scraps of information relating to a person or place; literary gossip. See also -ana. (Cf. ↑-ana)

╂[< -ana anecdotes]

Usage Ana is construed as a collective singular in the sense of def. 1, and the plural form anas exists for it in this sense only.

an|a² «AN uh», adverb.

in equal quantities; so much of each (used of ingredients in prescriptions).

╂[< Medieval Latin ana < Greek aná at the rate of]

ana-,

prefix. back; again; thoroughly; up, as in anachronism, anaplastic, analysis, anabatic, anatomy. Also, an- before vowels.

╂[< Greek ana- < aná back, up, again]

-ana,

suffix. a collection of objects, documents, books, facts, or sayings of or about: »

Americana = a collection of objects, documents, books, facts, or sayings of or about America.

Also, -iana. See also ana¹. (Cf. ↑ana)

╂[< Latin -āna, neuter plural of -ānus -an]