Timewaster's Guide Archive

Local Authors => Writing Group => Topic started by: RavenstarRHJF on June 22, 2009, 03:18:08 AM

Title: Definition of "a"
Post by: RavenstarRHJF on June 22, 2009, 03:18:08 AM

My husband gave me this challenge as we were driving to church this evening: define "a" without using it ('cause, you know, it's a bad definition when you use the word your defining in the definition)

This is what I came up with: An English Language single letter descriptor of quantity (one) for people, places, and things

So I got to wondering what you guys could come up with?  :D  Oh, and apparently it has to be grammatically correct.

Title: Re: Definition of "a"
Post by: The Jade Knight on June 23, 2009, 07:31:57 AM

"That is the English word for the indefinite article when used before nouns starting with consonants.  For nouns starting with vowels (or mute h's), the form 'an' is preferable."

Booyah.

Title: Re: Definition of "a"
Post by: Shaggy on June 24, 2009, 11:26:07 PM

Aaaand . . . Jade takes the pie.

Title: Re: Definition of "a"
Post by: RavenstarRHJF on June 24, 2009, 11:32:03 PM

... Or the cake. ;)

Title: Re: Definition of "a"
Post by: Shaggy on June 24, 2009, 11:40:18 PM

Naw. Taking a cake would be a bad thing, not a good thing.  ::)

Title: Re: Definition of "a"
Post by: Renoard on June 26, 2009, 09:24:43 AM

A (ā) Indefinite article preceding words which begin with consonants as the first vocalized letter.

Do I pass?

Title: Re: Definition of "a"
Post by: The Jade Knight on June 26, 2009, 10:28:41 AM

Nah, 'says here you're a "failed missionary".  So I guess you failed.

Title: Re: Definition of "a"
Post by: Shaggy on June 27, 2009, 07:59:11 PM

No pie for you, my friend.