ana-, an-, ano-, am-

(Greek: up, upward; back, backward, against; again, anew; used as a prefix)

ananym (s) (noun), ananyms (pl)
1. A name which is written backwards; often used to mean the same thing as another word or as a false name.
2. A name that has the letters reversed; often done for anonymity, or to create a new name with some information encrypted in it; such as, with a parent who is naming a child.
anaphase
1. A stage of mitosis or meiosis in which the corresponding parts of the divided chromosomes move to opposite poles of the spindle.
2. A late stage of cell division during which chromosomes move to the poles of the spindle (a structure consisting of a network of microtubule fibers along which chromosomes are distributed and drawn apart during meiosis [process of cell division during which the nucleus divides into four nuclei] and mitosis [process by which a cell divides into two daughter cells, each of which has the same number of chromosomes as the original cell]).
anaphrodisiac (adjective), more anaphrodisiac, most anaphrodisiac
Relating to something which decreases sexual desires: In order to safely transport the stallion with the other horses, John, the veterinarian, gave him an anaphrodisiac injection.
anaphylaxis
1. A hypersensitivity reaction to the ingestion or injection of a substance (a protein or drug) resulting from a prior contact with a substance.
2. The hypersensitive state which may develop after the introduction of a foreign protein or other antigen into the body tissues.
3. A severe, immediate, potentially fatal bodily reaction to contact with a substance (antigen) to which the individual has previously been exposed.

It is often triggered by antiserum, antibiotics, or insect stings.

anaphyte
A transverse segment of a shoot or an internode (the region of a plant's stem which is situated between two nodes, bulges, or swellings).
anaplasis
The progressive stage in the development of an individual preceding the mature phase or metaplasis or the stage of completed growth or development of an individual.
anaplasty (s) (noun), anaplasties (pl)
1. Surgery which is concerned with therapeutic or cosmetic reformation of bodily tissue: The plastic surgeon performed a series of anaplasties on patients desiring the removal of bags under their eyes.
2. The reconstruction or restoration; especially, by plastic surgery, of a lost or injured body part: The anaplasty was successful because the surgeon was able to reposition Victor’s forefinger so that it could serve as a thumb, replacing his severely damaged thumb.
3. The replacement or correction of damaged body parts, organs, etc. with surgery: The eye surgeon was able to perform an anaplasty on the patient, replacing her damaged cornea.
Plastic surgery to restore a part of the body.
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anastasis (s) (noun), anastases (pl)
A recovery or convalescence from a debilitating medical condition and improvement of one's health: After spending many months in hospital, the elderly Mr. Moore was enjoying a time of anastasis and slowly recovering his strength and wellbeing.
anastomosis (s), anastomoses (pl); anastamosis (a common misspelling)
1. The stitching of one vessel to another without leaks.
2. The connection or communication between two tubular organs of normally separate parts or spaces so they intercommunicate.
3. The connection or place of connection of two or more parts of a natural branching system; for example, of blood vessels, leaf veins, stems of woody plants, or rivers.
4. The surgical union of two hollow organs: such as, blood vessels or parts of the intestine, to ensure continuity of the passageways.

An anastomosis may be naturally occurring or artificially constructed and be created during the process of embryonic development or by surgery, trauma, or pathological means.

For example, an anastomosis may connect two blood vessels (as in a naturally occurring arteriovenous anastomosis, a connection between an artery and a vein) or it may connect the healthy sections of the colon or rectum after a cancerous or otherwise diseased portion has been surgically removed.

A gastrojejunal anastomosis connects the stomach directly with the jejunum or part of the small intestine.

The term anastomosis comes from Greek. It originally referred to an opening or junction through a mouth as of one body of water with another.

Anastomosis has been in medical usage since the Greek physician Galen (129-200 A.D.) used it to describe the interconnections between blood vessels.

anastrophe, anastrophy
1. An alteration of the normal order of words or phrases in a grammatical construction, usually for rhetorical effect.
2. In rhetoric, the inversion of the natural or usual order of words; such as, "Homeward directly he went." "To market went she."
3. In computing, an operation by which each digit of a binary number is changed to the alternative digit, as 10110 to 01001.
anathema (s) (noun), anathemas (pl)
1. Someone or something that is greatly disliked or detested and is therefore shunned or avoided: The thought of physically punishing their children was absolutely an anathema and repulsive for the parents to even consider.
2. A curse from a religious authority that condemns something or excommunicates someone: Patrick must have done something very sinful and horrible because his church decided that the only way to deal with him was the pronouncement of an anathema that would expel and remove him as a member of the congregation.
3. Etymology: from Latin anathema, "an excommunicated person, the curse of excommunication"; from Greek anathema, "a thing accursed"; originally, "a thing devoted". Literally, "a thing set up (to the gods)" from ana-, "up" + tithenai, "to place".
Anyone of intense dislike.
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Anathema sit.
Let him be accursed.
anathematization, anathematisation (s); anathematizations, anathematisations (pl) (nouns)
1. The formal act of pronouncing (someone or something) accursed.
2. Rejection by means of an act of banishing or proscribing (excluding) someone.
anathematize (verb), anathematizes; anathematized; anathematizing
To declare a curse; to condemn: Mr. Hill anathematised and proclaimed the thieves who stole his cell phone to be more than vile!
anatherapeusis
Treatment by increasing doses.