This comparative lexicographical account of Latin suffixes in English explores the rich variety of English loanwords formed by the addition of one or more Latin-derived suffixes, such as -ial, -able, -ability, and -id. It traces the histories of over 3,000 words, revealing the range of derivational patterns in Indo-European, Latin, and English. It describes the different kinds of suffixes, shows how they entered English via different channels at different times (especially French and Anglo-French), and considers the complexity of competition between native Germanic and borrowed forms. The Prot ... More

This comparative lexicographical account of Latin suffixes in English explores the rich variety of English loanwords formed by the addition of one or more Latin-derived suffixes, such as -ial, -able, -ability, and -id. It traces the histories of over 3,000 words, revealing the range of derivational patterns in Indo-European, Latin, and English. It describes the different kinds of suffixes, shows how they entered English via different channels at different times (especially French and Anglo-French), and considers the complexity of competition between native Germanic and borrowed forms. The Proto-Indo-European ancestry of each formative is discussed, if known. The information that etymological dictionaries supply for root origins is thus provided for suffixes. This is followed by a sketch of the suffix’s synchronic status in Latin, and a statement concerning its relative productivity in English word formation. Finally, the book contains a list of the Indo-European roots cited.