1. [n]  a collection of anecdotes about a person or place
2. [n]  (Irish) mother of the ancient Irish gods; sometimes identified with Danu

ANA is a 3 letter word that starts with A.

1. \An"a-\ [Gr. 'ana` on; in comp., on, up, upwards.]
   A prefix in words from the Greek, denoting up, upward,
   throughout, backward, back, again, anew.
   

2. \A"na\ ([=a]"n[.a]), adv. [Gr. 'ana` (used distributively).]
   (Med.)
   Of each; an equal quantity; as, wine and honey, ana (or,
   contracted, aa), ? ij., that is, of wine and honey, each, two
   ounces.
         An apothecary with a . . . long bill of anas. --Dryden.
   

3. \-a"na\ [The neut. pl. ending of Latin adjectives in
   -anus.]
   A suffix to names of persons or places, used to denote a
   collection of notable sayings, literary gossip, anecdotes,
   etc. Thus, Scaligerana is a book containing the sayings of
   Scaliger, Johnsoniana of Johnson, etc.
   Note: Used also as a substantive; as, the French anas.
               It has been said that the table-talk of Selden is
               worth all the ana of the Continent. --Hallam.