An't

A colloquial contraction of am not or are not; as in the phrases I an't, we an't, you an't, &c. He an't follows either the analogy of the others, or is a corruption of he is not.

[Gr. ἀντί, against.] A prefix in many words, meaning against, or opposed to.

n. [Standing for ant, and a contr. of Eng. emmet, A.-S. æmet, æmette, emeta, Ger. ameise.] (Entom.) An emmet; a pismire; a species of hymenopterous insects of the Linnæan genus Formica, which is now made a family of several genera.

☞ Among ants, as among bees, there are neuter or working ants, besides the males and females; the former only are without wings. They live together in swarms, usually raising hillocks of earth, variously chambered within, where they maintain a perfect system of order, store their provisions, and nurture their young.