-y Hear it!

-y1 definition

-y (ē, i)

  1. little, dear: used in forming diminutives, nicknames, and terms of endearment [kitty, Billy, daddy]
  2. -ie (sense )

Etymology: ME -y, -i, -ie, prob. based on OFr -i, -e, in such familiar names as Davi (for David), Mathe (for Matheu), etc.

-y2 definition

-y (ē, i)

  1. having, full of, or characterized by dirty, healthy
  2. rather, somewhat yellowy, chilly, dusky
  3. inclined or tending to drowsy, sticky
  4. suggestive of, somewhat like wavy

Etymology: ME -y, -ie < OE -ig, akin to L -ic(us), Gr -ik(os)

-y3 definition

-y (ē, i)

  1. quality or condition jealousy, zoanthropy
  2. a shop or goods of a (specified) kind coopery
  3. a collective body of a (specified) kind soldiery

Etymology: ME -ie < OFr < L -ia < or akin to Gr -ia, -eia

-y4 definition

-y (ē, i)

action of inquiry

Etymology: ME -ie < Anglo-Fr < L -ium

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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