suffix forming nouns denoting: 1 a class or kind (greenery; machinery; citizenry). 2 employment; state or condition (archery; dentistry; slavery; bravery). 3 a place of work or cultivation or breeding (brewery; orangery; rookery). 4 behaviour (mimicry). 5 often derog. all that has to do with (knavery; popery; tomfoolery).
[ ME, from or after F -erie, -ere ult. f. L -ario-, -ator ]