an | Search Online Etymology Dictionary

530 entries found.

also amoebean, "alternating, answering alternately," 1650s, from Greek amoibe "change, alteration; exchange" (see amoeba) + -an.

Sisyphean (adj.)

"pertaining to or resembling the unceasingly recurring and fruitless labors of Sisyphus," 1630s, from Sisyphus + -an. Earlier Sisyphian (1590s).

avian (adj.)

"resembling or pertaining to birds," 1861, from Latin avis "bird" (from PIE root *awi- "bird") + -an.

cetacean (n.)

1836, from Cetacea, name of the order of marine mammals, + -an. As an adjective, "pertaining to the whale," from 1839.

anonymous (adj.)

c. 1600, "without a name;" 1670s, "published under no name, of unknown authorship," from Late Latin anonymus, from Greek anonymos "without a name," from an- "without" (see an- (1)) + onyma, Æolic dialectal form of onoma "name" (from PIE root *no-men- "name").

Bacchanalian (adj.)

1560s, "characterized by intemperate drinking;" see Bacchanalia + -an. From 1620s as "pertaining to Bacchanals." As a noun from 1610s, "participant in the Bacchanalia."

Herculean (adj.)

1590s, from Hercules + -an. "Of enormous size or strength or great courage," also sometimes "very difficult or dangerous," in allusion to the hero's labors.

Swabian

1785; see Swabia + -an. The Swabian emperors (1138-1254) were so called because the founder of the line was duke of Swabia.

antiquarian (n.)

"one who studies or is fond of antiquities, one versed in knowledge of ancient things," c. 1600, with -an + Latin antiquarius "pertaining to antiquity," from antiquus "ancient, aged, venerable" (see antique (adj.)). In later use more specifically "collector of antiquities; dealer in old books, coins, objects of art, etc." As an adjective, "pertaining to antiquaries," from 1771. Compare antiquary.

anomalous (adj.)

"deviating from a general rule," 1640s, from Late Latin anomalus, from Greek anomalos "uneven, irregular," from an- "not" (see an- (1)) + homalos "even," from homos "same" (from PIE root *sem- (1) "one; as one, together with"). Related: Anomalously; anomalousness.

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