Question 1
The prefix a- means "without" or "not," as in apathy. Before a vowel, it becomes an-, as in anarchy. What does a-/an- mean?
"a-" means "without" or "not." Before a vowel it becomes "an-." In apathy, "a-" negates pathy (feeling), producing "without feeling." In anarchy, "an-" negates archy (rule), producing "without rule."