-ate /ət, ɪt, eɪt/ BrE AmE suffix
[ Language: Latin ; Origin: -atus ]
1 . [in adjectives] full of or showing a particular quality:
affectionate (=showing love)
2 . [in verbs] to make something have a particular quality:
activate (=make something start working)
regulate (=control something or make it regular)
3 . [in nouns] a group of people with particular duties:
the electorate (=voters)
4 . [in nouns] the job, rank, or degree of a particular type of person:
She was awarded her doctorate (=↑ PhD ) .
5 . [in nouns] a chemical salt formed from a particular acid:
phosphate
—-ately /ətli, ɪtli/ [in adverbs] :
fortunately