Usually the prefix "a" means "not" or "without", for example: atheist, anarchy. But, in "amaze" it's not the case, since the word maze means "confusing" or "labyrinth" and "amaze" means "surprise". Is there another meaning to the prefix "a"? Or, is it not a prefix in this word?
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6Related: What is the history of adding the a- prefix to form words? – RegDwigнt Apr 25 '11 at 20:31
3 Answers
The Online Etymology Dictionary reports the following:
early 13c., amasian "stupefy, make crazy," from a-, probably used here as an intensive prefix, + -masian, related to maze (q.v.). Sense of "overwhelm with wonder" is from 1580s.
So the a- is a prefix here, but it intensifies instead of negating. Wiktionary lists the several uses of a- and notes the Greek-based meaning you cite as the only one that remains productive today.
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I would also think the word muse has the same roots. "Amuse" then might be to say without thoughts on, which could be said 'speechless' in our culture. – Apr 05 '13 at 07:48
I'm surprise that Wiktionary does not have a sense of "to the" which I have understood to be another use of a-.
And I think it's productive, as well, as I use it to make new words, though admittedly ones that sound archaic.
How about ...
a-swimming we will go...?
Usually hyphenated, this would be my understanding of the use in amaze: "to the maze" = "to confuse my mind (with the sheer wonder of it!)"
Is there no reference that agrees with this?
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See etymonline (http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=amaze):
early 13c., amasian "stupefy, make crazy," from a-, probably used here as an intensive prefix, + -masian, related to maze
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