-fer
a combining form meaning “that which carries” the thing specified by the initial element, used in the formation of compound words:
aquifer; conifer; foraminifer.
-fer
combining form
indicating a person or thing that bears something specified crucifer, conifer
word origin
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- -ferous
a combining form meaning “bearing,” “producing,” “yielding,” “containing,” “conveying,” used in the formation of compound words: coniferous; pestiferous. -ferous combining form bearing or producing coniferous, crystalliferous compare -gerous word origin
- -fest
-fest in compounds such as hen-fest, gab-fest, etc., 1889, amer.eng., borrowed from ger. fest “festival,” abstracted from volksfest, etc., from m.h.g. vëst, from l. festum (see festivity). -fest combining form a celebration or extensive exercise and indulgence of what is indicated: slugfest/ gabfest/ f-ckfest/ jazzfest/ schmoozefest/ splatterfest related terms bull session [1880s+; fr german, ”festival”]
- -fex
a combining form meaning “maker,” used in the formation of compound words: spinifex.
- -fic
a combining form meaning “making,” “producing,” “causing,” appearing in adjectives borrowed from latin: frigorific; honorific; pacific; prolific. -fic suffix causing, making, or producing honorific word origin
- -fication
a combining form of nouns of action or state corresponding to verbs ending in -fy: deification; pacification. -fication suffix meaning “a making or causing,” from l. -ficationem, acc. of -ficatio, ult. from facere “to make, do” (see fact-tious).