Meaning of anan | Babel Free

Definitions

Expressing incomprehension or doubt; often requesting repetition or clarification, especially as an as an interrogative.

obsolete

Equivalents

Examples

“'You are familiar with the Polynesian, I collect⟳?' asked Stephen. 'Anan, sir?' 'The South Sea language.'”

““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⟳.””

““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!””

““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⟳?””

“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.””

“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.”

“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”

CEFR level