-s-
English Edit
Etymology Edit
From Middle English -s, -es, from Old English -es (“-'s”, masculine and neuter genitive singular ending), which survives in many old compounds. In more recent coinage, from contraction of the derived clitic -'s in compounds. For more, see -'s.
Interfix Edit
-s-
- Genitival interfix used to link elements in some compounds, equivalent to the possessive clitic -'s.
See also Edit
Afrikaans Edit
Etymology Edit
Interfix Edit
-s-
- An interfix used to link elements in some compounds, originally a genitival interfix.
- aanleerder (“learner”) + -s- + woordeboek (“dictionary”) → aanleerderswoordeboek
- staat (“state”) + -s- + kaping (“hijacking, privateering”) → staatskaping
Usage notes Edit
- Use of the -s- interfix in Afrikaans is based on patterns in the existing vocabulary. It is frequently used after the -ing, -ie and the -er suffixes. It is seldom used following mass nouns.
- The -s- is not used when the previous element end on s: poskantoor. It is not used when the next element begins with s: stadspoort, but stadsaal (no interfix).
See also Edit
Albanian Edit
Interfix Edit
-s-
Derived terms Edit
Danish Edit
Interfix Edit
-s-
- Interfix inserted in some compounds.
Usage notes Edit
The usage of fuge-s is phonetically motivated. It is applied on a per-modifier basis, meaning that if the first root generates fuge-s in one compound, it will usually do so in all compounds, even if the second already begins with an s, as in dødsstraf (død + straf) or affaldssæk (affald + sæk).
Derived terms Edit
Dutch Edit
Etymology Edit
(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)
Interfix Edit
-s-
- Genitival interfix used to link elements in some compounds.
Derived terms Edit
Related terms Edit
Elfdalian Edit
Interfix Edit
-s-
- Genitival interfix indicating that the former part is a characteristic of the latter.
Derived terms Edit
Finnish Edit
Etymology Edit
Common sound-symbolic element, often attached to after a -p-. Probably akin to diminutive suffixes like -sa and -su.
Infix Edit
-s-
- A sound-symbolic interfix.
Usage notes Edit
Generally attached to between a plosive and a following vowel roughly in the middle of any given root.
Derived terms Edit
German Edit
Alternative forms Edit
Pronunciation Edit
Interfix Edit
-s-
- Genitival interfix used to link elements in some compounds.
- Gestein (“rock”) + -s- + Formation (“formation”) → Gesteinsformation (“geological formation”)
- Arbeit (“work”) + -s- + Zimmer (“room”) → Arbeitszimmer (“workroom, study”)
Usage notes Edit
- This interfix is used regularly after most derivational suffixes such as -heit, -ling, -tum, -ung, including borrowed ones like -ität, -tion. Otherwise it is used only after a minority of words. Most of these are strong masculine and neuter nouns, but not without exception (cf. Arbeit f above). There are also words that use it in some compounds but not in others, e.g. Arbeitszimmer, Arbeitgeber, Darlehensgeber.
Derived terms Edit
See also Edit
Edit
Interfix Edit
-s-
See also Edit
Norwegian Bokmål Edit
Interfix Edit
-s-
- Genitival interfix indicating that the former part is a characteristic of the latter.
Derived terms Edit
Norwegian Nynorsk Edit
Interfix Edit
-s-
- Genitival interfix indicating that the former part is a characteristic of the latter.
Derived terms Edit
See also Edit
Saterland Frisian Edit
Etymology Edit
From a genitival suffix, ultimately from Proto-Germanic *-as. Cognates include German -s- and Dutch -s-.
Pronunciation Edit
Interfix Edit
-s-
- Used to link two elements in some compounds.
Derived terms Edit
Swedish Edit
Etymology Edit
From Old Swedish -s (“genitival suffix”), from Old Norse -s. Many noun phrases with -s later merged into single-word compounds, but the s remained, now serving the function of a joining interfix as opposed to a suffix placed on a single word.
Pronunciation Edit
Interfix Edit
-s-
- Genitival interfix indicating that the former part is a characteristic of the latter.
Usage notes Edit
In Swedish, this interfix is called the foge-s.