This word is properly an adjective, but is commonly called the indefinite article. It is used before nouns of the singular number only, and signifies one, or any, but somewhat less emphatically. In such expressions as "twice an hour," "once an age," a shilling an ounce (see 2d A, 2), it has a distributive force, and is equivalent to each, every.
If; - a word used by old English authors.
Of or pertaining to history, or the record of past events; as, an historical poem; the historic page.
having once lived, existed, or taken place in the real world; - contrasted with legendary; as, the historical Jesus; doubt that a historical Camelot every existed; actual historical events.
Belonging to the past; as, historical (or historic) times; a historical character.
Within the period of time recorded in written documents; as, within historic times. Opposite of prehistoric.
Same as diachronic.
