suffix (also esp. US -id) Chem. forming nouns denoting: 1 binary compounds of an element (the suffix -ide being added to the abbreviated name of the more electronegative element etc.) (sodium chloride; lead sulphide; calcium carbide). 2 various other compounds (amide; anhydride; peptide; saccharide). 3 elements of a series in the periodic table (actinide; lanthanide).
[ orig. in OXIDE ]