-cy
EnglishEdit
EtymologyEdit
From Anglo-Norman -cie, ultimately from Latin -cia, -tia, Ancient Greek -κια (-kia), -τια (-tia), originally variants of Latin -ia and Ancient Greek -ια (-ia), -ία (-ía) or -εια (-eia). Original loan words like pharmacy and papacy could have formed the model.
PronunciationEdit
SuffixEdit
-cy
- (non-productive) Used to form nouns of state, condition or quality e.g. obstinacy.
- (non-productive) Used to form nouns of rank or office e.g. abbacy.
Usage notesEdit
In sense of a state, a condition, often replaces a terminal -t, as in pregnancy (from pregnant). Exceptions include normalcy (no terminal -t in normal) and bankruptcy (terminal -t in bankrupt retained).
SynonymsEdit
- (office): -ate
Derived termsEdit
TranslationsEdit
used to form nouns of state, condition or quality e.g. obstinacy