Pronunciation: US usu ˌ er- ē or ˌ e-r ē when an unstressed syllable precedes, ə -r ē or r ē when a stressed syllable precedes; Brit usu ə -r ē or r ē in all cases
Function: noun suffix
Etymology: Middle English -arie, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French -aire, -arie, from Latin -arius, -aria, -arium, from -arius, adjective suffix
1 : thing belonging to or connected with especially : place of <ov ary >
2 : person belonging to, connected with, or engaged in <function ary >