-ability
a combination of -able and -ity, found on nouns corresponding to adjectives in -able:
capability.
-ability
suffix expressing ability, fitness, or capacity, from l. -abilitas, forming nouns from adjs. ending in -abilis (see -able). not etymologically related to ability, though popularly connected with it.
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- -able
a suffix meaning “capable of, susceptible of, fit for, tending to, given to,” -ssociated in meaning with the word able, occurring in loanwords from latin (laudable); used in english as a highly productive suffix to form adjectives by addition to stems of any origin (teachable; photographable). also, -ble, -ible. -able suffix capable of, suitable for, […]
- -ably
a suffix combining -able and -ly that forms adverbs corresponding to adjectives ending in -able: commendably; dependably; tolerably . also, -ibly.
- -ac
variant of -ic after greek noun stems ending in i: cardiac; maniac.
- -acea
zoology a suffix used in the formation of names of cl-sses and orders: crustacea. -acea suffix denoting animals belonging to a cl-ss or order crustacea (cl-ss), cetacea (order) word origin new latin, from latin, neuter plural of -āceus-aceous -acea suffix denoting orders and cl-sses in zoology, from l. -acea, neut. pl. of -aceus “belonging to, […]
- -aceae
botany a suffix used in the formation of names of families: rosaceae. -aceae suffix denoting plants belonging to a family liliaceae, ranunculaceae word origin new latin, from latin, feminine plural of -āceus-aceous