-âtre
French edit
Etymology edit
Inherited from Old French -astre, from Latin -astrum. Cognate to Italian -astro.
Pronunciation edit
Suffix edit
-âtre (plural -âtres)
- (especially colours) -ish
- forms pejoratives
- opinion (“opinion”) + -âtre → opiniâtre (“obstinate”)
- gentilhomme (“gentleman”) + -âtre → gentillâtre (“lordling”)
Usage notes edit
- Both a nominal and an adjectival suffix.