suffix 1 forming nouns denoting: a status or office (doctorate; episcopate). b state or function (curate; magistrate; mandate). 2 Chem. forming nouns denoting the salt of an acid with a corresponding name ending in -ic (chlorate; nitrate). 3 forming nouns denoting a group (electorate). 4 Chem. forming nouns denoting a product (condensate; filtrate).
[ from or after OF -at or é(e) or f. L -atus noun or past part.: cf. -ATE(2) ]