a (1) vocative particle "O" in a vanimar "O beautiful ones" (LotR3:VI ch. 6, translated in Letters:308); also attested repeatedly in VT44:12 (cf. 15): A Hrísto *"o Christ", A Eruion *"o God the son/son of God", a Aina Fairë *"o Holy Spirit", a aina Maria *"o holy Mary".
a (2) conj. "and", a variant of ar occurring in Fíriel's Song (that also has ar; a seems to be used before words in f-, but contrast ar formenna *”and northwards” in a late text, VT49:26). According to PE17:41, “Old Quenya” could have the conjunction a (as a variant of ar) before n, ñ, m, h, hy, hw (f is not mentioned), PE17:71 adding ty, ny, hr, hl, ñ, l, r, þ, s. See ar #1. It may be that the a or the sentence nornë a lintieryanen “he ran with his speed” (i.e. as quickly as he could) is to be understood as this conjunction, if the literal meaning is *“he ran and [did so] with his speed” (PE17:58).
