a

Ⅰ.

a [1] (an before a vowel sound) ► DETERMINER 1) used when mentioning someone or something for the first time; the indefinite article. 2) one single: a hundred. 3) someone like (the name specified). 4) per: typing 60 words a minute.

ORIGIN Old English.

Ⅱ.

a [2] ► ABBREVIATION 1) (in travel timetables) arrives. 2) (used before a date) before. [ORIGIN: from Latin ante.] 3) Brit. (with reference to sporting fixtures) away.