An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/an

by Friedrich Kluge

an, prep., adv., ‘on, by, along,’ from MidHG. ane, OHG. ana, prep., adv., ‘on, in, upon’; it corresponds to Goth. ana, prep., adv., ‘on, upon, in,’ AS., E. on, prep., adv., Du. aan, OSax. an. Primit. allied to Gr. ἀνά, ‘upon, on,’ Zend ana ‘upon,’ Lat. an- in anhélare, ‘to respire,’ OSlov. vŭ (for *on).