Learn English – Prefix “a” in “amaze”

prefixes

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?

Best Answer

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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