-Y

I. adjective suffix

also -ey ē; in some dialects, especially Brit, Southern, & NewEng, often i but not shown at individual entries

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English -ig; akin to Old High German -īg -y, Latin -icus, Greek -ikos, Sanskrit -ika

1.

a. : characterized by : full of

blossom y

dirt y

mudd y

clay ey

b. : having the character of : composed of

ic y

wax y

c. : like : like that of

hom ey

wintr y

— often with a disparaging connotation

stag y

2.

a. : tending or inclined to

sleep y

chatt y

b. : giving occasion for (specified) action

tear y

c. : performing (specified) action

curl y

II. same noun suffix

( plural -ies )

Etymology: Middle English -ie, from Anglo-French, from Latin -ia, from Greek -ia, -eia

1. : state : condition : quality

beggar y

2. : activity, place of business, or goods dealt with

chandler y

laundr y

3. : whole body or group

soldier y

III. noun suffix

( plural -ies )

Etymology: Middle English -ie, from Anglo-French, from Latin -ium

: instance of a (specified) action

entreat y

inquir y

IV.

— see -ie