suffix forming nouns denoting: 1 an action (breakage; spillage). 2 a condition or function (bondage; a peerage). 3 an aggregate or number of (coverage; the peerage; acreage). 4 fees payable for; the cost of using (postage). 5 the product of an action (dosage; wreckage). 6 a place; an abode (anchorage; orphanage; parsonage).
[ OF ult. f. L -aticum neut. of adj. suffix -aticus -ATIC ]