A

[--- and ---]

1. — And is used between repeated words to show continuation or emphasis.

* /When the children saw the beautiful Christmas tree they looked and looked./

* /Old Mr, Bryan has known Grandfather for years and years, since they were boys./ ...

[a bit] {n.}, {informal}

A small amount; some.

* /There's no sugar in the sugar bowl, but you may find a bit in the bag./

* /If the ball had hit the window a bit harder, it would have broken it./

- Often used like an adverb.

* /This sweater ...

[a few] {n.}

or {adj.}

A small number (of people or things); some.

* /The dry weather killed most of Mother's flowers, but a few are left./

* /In the store, Mary saw many pretty rings and bracelets, and she wanted to buy a few of them./

* /After the ...

[a friend in need is a friend indeed] A genuine friend on whom one can always depend. — A proverb; often shortened to "a friend in need..."

* /When John's house burned down, his neighbor Jim helped him and his family with shelter, food and clothing. ...

[a hell of a] or [one hell of a] {adj.} or {adv. phr.}, {informal}

Extraordinary; very.

* /He made a hell of a shot during the basketball game./

* /Max said seven months was a hell of a time to have to wait for a simple visa./

* /The fall Max took ...

[a la] {prep.}

In the same way as; like.

* /Billy played ball like a champion today, a la the professional ball players./

* /Joe wanted to shoot an apple off my head a la William Tell./

(From French "a la", in the manner of.)

[a little] {n.}

or {adj.}

A small amount (of); some. — Usually "a little" is different in meaning from "little", which emphasizes the negative; "a little" means "some"; but "little" means "not much". We say

* /"We thought that the paper was all gone, ...

[a little bird told me] To have learned something from a mysterious, unknown, or secret source.

* /"Who told you that Dean Smith was resigning?" Peter asked. "A little bird told me," Jim answered./

[a little knowledge is a dangerous thing] {literary} A person who knows a little about something may think he knows it all and make bad mistakes. — A proverb.

* /John has read a book on driving a car and now he thinks he can drive. A little knowledge is ...

[a lot] {n.}, {informal} A large number or amount; very many or very much; lots.

* /I learned a lot in Mr. Smith's class./

* /A lot of our friends are going to the beach this summer./

- Often used like an adverb.

* /Ella is a jolly girl; she laughs ...