anan

See also: Anan, anaŋ, aŋan, àn'àn, and -aꞌnaꞌn

English edit

Etymology edit

Variant form of anon (“in a moment; presently”).

Pronunciation edit

IPA^(key): /əˈnæn/

Interjection edit

anan

(obsolete) Expressing incomprehension or doubt; often requesting repetition or clarification, especially as an as an interrogative.
- 1991, Patrick O'Brian, Clarissa Oakes [historical fiction, set circa 1812]:
  'You are familiar with the Polynesian, I collect?' asked Stephen.
  'Anan, sir?'
  'The South Sea language.'
- 1841, J[ames] Fenimore Cooper, The Deerslayer: A Tale. […], 1st British edition, volumes (please specify |volume=I, II, or III), London: Richard Bentley, […], →OCLC:
  “There was once [a mother], as in reason; but she has now been dead and sunk these two good years.”
  “Anan?” said Deerslayer, looking up at his companion in a little surprise.
  “Dead and sunk, I say, and I hope that's good English. The old fellow lowered his wife into the lake, by way of seeing the last of her, as I can testify, being an eye-witness of the ceremony; but whether Tom did it to save digging, which is no easy job among roots, or out of a consait that water washes away sin sooner than 'arth, is more than I can say.”
- 1837, [Edward Bulwer-Lytton], Ernest Maltravers […] , volumes (please specify |volume=I, II, or III), London: Saunders and Otley, […], →OCLC:
  “Poor child, in what a den of vice you have been brought up!”
  “Anan, sir.”
  “She don’t understand me. Have you been taught to read and write?”
  “Oh no!”
- 1782, Frances Burney, Cecilia, volume III:
  “Anan!” cried Briggs, recovering his temper from the perplexity of his understanding, at a discourse to which his ears were wholly unaccustomed, “what d'ye say?”
- 1782, Frances Burney, Cecilia, volume II:
  “I am quite assommé, Sir,” returned the Captain, “to disturb you, but I must really hint you don't comprehend me; the ladies are extremely inconvenienced by these sort of sights [a man without his wig], and we make it a principle they should never be accablées with them.”
  “Anan!” cried Mr Briggs, staring.
  “I say, Sir,” replied the Captain, “the ladies are quite au desespoir that you will not cover your head.”
  “What for?” cried he, “what's the matter with my head? ne'er a man here got a better! very good stuff in it; won't change it with ne'er a one of you!”
- 1782, Frances Burney, Cecilia, volume I:
  She called out, however, “Are any of Mr Briggs's servants below?”
  “Anan!” answered the boy, who came to the foot of the stairs, with a knife in one hand and an old shoe, upon the sole of which he was sharpening it, in the other, “Does any one call?”
  “Yes,” said Cecilia, “I do; for I could not find the bell.”
- 1751, [Tobias] Smollett, The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle […], volumes (please specify |volume=I to IV), London: Harrison and Co., […], →OCLC:
  This reply converted the looks of the inquirer into a stare of infinite stolidity, accompanied with the word, Anan! which he pronounced in a tone of fear and astonishment.
- 1751, [Tobias] Smollett, The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle […], volumes (please specify |volume=I to IV), London: Harrison and Co., […], →OCLC:
  As he walked along, Strap, at my desire, inquired of a carman, whom we met, whereabouts Mr. Cringer lived: and was answered by a stare, accompanied with the word “Anan!” Upon which I came up, in order to explain the question, but had the misfortune to be unintelligible likewise