[ AS. ān one, the same word as the numeral. See One, and cf. A. ] This word is properly an adjective, but is commonly called the indefinite article. It is used before nouns of the singular number only, and signifies one, or any, but somewhat less emphatically. In such expressions as “twice an hour, ” “once an age, ” a shilling an ounce (see 2d A, 2), it has a distributive force, and is equivalent to each, every. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ An is used before a word beginning with a vowel sound; as, an enemy, an hour. It in also often used before h sounded, when the accent of the word falls on the second syllable; as, an historian, an hyena, an heroic deed. Many writers use a before h in such positions. Anciently an was used before consonants as well as vowels. [ 1913 Webster ]

conj. [ Shortened fr. and, OE. an., and, sometimes and if, in introducing conditional clauses, like Icel. enda if, the same word as and. Prob. and was originally pleonastic before the conditional clause. ] If; -- a word used by old English authors. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Nay, an thou dalliest, then I am thy foe. B. Jonson. [ 1913 Webster ]

An if, and if; if. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. [ Gr. 'ana` (used distributively). ] (Med.) Of each; an equal quantity; as, wine and honey, ana (or, contracted, aa) two ounces, &ounce_; ij., that is, of wine and honey, each, two ounces. AS [ 1913 Webster ]

An apothecary with a . . . long bill of anas. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

. [ Gr. 'ana` on; in comp., on, up, upwards. ] A prefix in words from the Greek, denoting up, upward, throughout, backward, back, again, anew. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. anabaptismus, Gr. 'anabaptismo`s: cf. F. anabaptisme. See Anabaptize. ] The doctrine of the Anabaptists. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ LL. anabaptista, fr. Gr. as if 'anabaptisth`s: cf. F. anabaptiste. ] A name sometimes applied to a member of any sect holding that rebaptism is necessary for those baptized in infancy. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In church history, the name Anabaptists usually designates a sect of fanatics who greatly disturbed the peace of Germany, the Netherlands, etc., in the Reformation period. In more modern times the name has been applied to those who do not regard infant baptism as real and valid baptism. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. Relating or attributed to the Anabaptists, or their doctrines. Milton. Bp. Bull. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The doctrine, system, or practice, of Anabaptists. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Thus died this imaginary king; and Anabaptistry was suppressed in Munster. Pagitt. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ Gr. &unr_;, fr. &unr_; again + &unr_; to baptize. See Baptize. ] To rebaptize; to rechristen; also, to rename. [ R. ] Whitlock. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ Gr. 'anaba`s, p. p. of bai`nein to advance. ] (Zool.) A genus of fishes, remarkable for their power of living long out of water, and of making their way on land for considerable distances, and for climbing trees; the climbing fishes. [ 1913 Webster ]