-ANT

I. noun suffix Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from ~, present participle suffix, from Latin ~-, -ans, present participle suffix of first conjugation, from -a- (stem vowel of first conjugation) + -nt-, -ns, present participle suffix; akin to Old English -nde, present participle suffix, Greek -nt-, -n, participle suffix 1. one that performs (a specified action) ; personal or impersonal agent , thing that promotes (a specified action or process) , one connected with , thing acted upon (in a specified manner) , II. adjective suffix performing (a specified action) or being (in a specified condition) , promoting (a specified action or process)