Combining Forms, Prefixes, and Suffixes

An entry that begins or ends with a hyphen is a word element that forms part of an English compound:

Main Entry: mega- or meg- Function: combining form 1 . . . b . . . <megahit> . . . Main Entry: -logy Function: noun combining form 1 . . . <phraseology> . . . Main Entry: -lyze Function: verb combining form . . . <electrolyze> Main Entry: -like Function: adjective combining form . . . <bell-like> <ladylike> Main Entry: pre- Function: prefix 1 a (1) . . . <prehistoric> . . .

Main Entry: ¹-ory Function: noun suffix 1 . . . <observatory> . . . Main Entry: ¹-ic Function: adjective suffix 2 a . . . <aldermanic> . . . Main Entry: ²-ly Function: adverb suffix 1 a . . . <slowly> . . . Main Entry: -ize Function: verb suffix 2 a . . . <crystallize> . . .

Combining forms, prefixes, and suffixes are entered in this dictionary for three reasons: to make easier the writing of etymologies of words in which these word elements occur over and over again; to make understandable the meaning of many undefined run-ons which for reasons of space would be omitted if they had to be given etymologies and definitions; and to make recognizable the meaningful elements of new words that are not well enough established in the language to warrant dictionary entry.

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