Meanings

1. 1

   onto, at, towards (the object)

   an- + schrauben (“to screw”) → anschrauben (“to screw on, attach by screwing”)

2. 2

   near, over, towards (the subject)

   an- + ziehen (“to pull”) → anziehen (“to attract, pull towards one”)

3. 3

   expresses a beginning, partial or slight action

   an- + knabbern (“to nibble”) → anknabbern (“to nibble part of, start to nibble”)

4. 4

   on, in use

   an- + stellen (“to put”) → anstellen (“to turn on”)