Which prefix means 'no, not'

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Negation in prefixes is shown by a-, which means not or without. When a- attaches to a root, it conveys the opposite or absence, as in amoral (not moral), atypical (not typical), or anaerobic (without oxygen). That direct sense of negation is why it best fits “no, not.” The other prefixes do different jobs: ab- or abs- means away from or off (abduct, absorb), anti- means against (antifreeze), and circum- means around (circumference). So a- alone most clearly expresses negation.