-ety
English
Etymology 1
In some uses, apparently an alteration of -edy, as seen in jaggedy, raggedy, etc.; equivalent to -ed + -y. The alteration of -d- to -t- is perhaps due to Scottish influence, where it is common for the past participle of Scots verbs to end in -et/-it rather than -ed as in English. (Can this(+) etymology be sourced?)
In other usage, perhaps imitative of repeated action, equivalent to -et + -y.[1] In any case, it is used almost exclusively in sound-symbolic or expressive words.
Alternative forms
- -edy, -iddy, -ity, -oty
Suffix
-ety
- Added to monosyllabic words, typically verbs or nouns, to form adjectives characteristic of the verb or noun.
- Often with frequentative force.
- jig + -ety → jiggety
- hip-hop + -ety → hippety-hoppety
- yack + -ety → yackety-yak
- Also seen in other fanciful compounds.
- dig + -ety → diggety, hot diggety dog
- lick + -ety → lickety, lickety-split
- Often with frequentative force.
Derived terms
English terms suffixed with -ety (expressive)
Etymology 2
Cognate of -ity, ultimately from Latin -(i)tās.[2] See more at -ity.
Alternative forms
Suffix
-ety
- Used to indicate qualities or states.
- contrary + -ety → contrariety
Derived terms
English terms suffixed with -ety (forming nouns)
Related terms
References
- ^ “-ety, suffix”, in OED Online , Oxford: Oxford University Press, November 2010.
- ^ “-ity, suffix”, in OED Online , Oxford: Oxford University Press, December 2020.