suffix

[n. suhf-iks; v. suhf-iks, suh-fiks] /n. ˈsʌf ɪks; v. ˈsʌf ɪks, səˈfɪks/
noun
1.
Grammar. an affix that follows the element to which it is added, as -ly in kindly.
2.
something added to the end of something else.
verb (used with object)
3.
Grammar. to add as a suffix.
4.
to affix at the end of something.
5.
to fix or put under.
verb (used without object), Grammar
6.
to admit a suffix.
7.
to add a suffix.
Origin
1595-1605; < Neo-Latin suffixum, noun use of neuter of Latin suffixus (past participle of suffīgere to attach on top of), equivalent to suf- suf- + fixus (see fix)
Related forms
suffixal
[suhf-ik-suh l, suh-fik-] /ˈsʌf ɪk səl, səˈfɪk-/ (Show IPA), adjective
suffixation
[suhf-ik-sey-shuh n] /ˌsʌf ɪkˈseɪ ʃən/ (Show IPA), suffixion
[suh-fik-shuh n] /səˈfɪk ʃən/ (Show IPA), noun
unsuffixed, adjective
Examples from the web for suffix
  • Planets orbiting stars beyond the sun are labelled merely with the name of the star and a suffix letter.
  • Given time, the internal geography shifts, and the cities of the new homeland take the suffix due the cities of the old one.
  • Determine whether each of the word elements listed below is a root or suffix.
  • Without this suffix, a countable noun is understood to be singular.
British Dictionary definitions for suffix

suffix

noun (ˈsʌfɪks)
1.
(grammar) an affix that follows the stem to which it is attached, as for example -s and -ness in dogs and softness Compare prefix (sense 1)
2.
anything that is added at the end of something else
verb (ˈsʌfɪks; səˈfɪks)
3.
(transitive) (grammar) to add (a morpheme) as a suffix to the end of a word
4.
(transitive) to add (something) at the end of a sentence, comment, or piece of writing
Derived Forms
suffixal (ˈsʌfɪksəl) adjective
suffixion (sʌˈfɪkʃən) noun
Word Origin
C18: from New Latin suffixum, from Latin suffixus fastened below, from suffīgere, from sub- + fīgere to fasten
Word Origin and History for suffix
n.

1778, from Modern Latin suffixum, noun use of neuter of Latin suffixus "fastened," past participle of suffigere "fasten, fix on, fasten below," from sub "upon" (see sub-) + figere "fasten" (see fix (v.)).

v.

in the grammatical sense, 1778, from suffix (n.). Related: Suffixed; suffixing.

suffix in Culture

suffix definition


A letter or a group of letters added to the end of a word to change its meaning. For example, adding the suffix -ter to the adjective hot turns it into the comparative adjective hotter, and adding the suffix -ly to the adjective quick turns it into the adverb quickly. Other examples of words with suffixes are: “willing,” “management,” “serviceable,” “harmonize,” and “joyful.” (Compare prefix.)