- -an
-
I. noun suffix
or -ian; also -ean
Etymology: -an & -ian from Middle English -an, -ian, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French -ien, from Latin -ianus, from -i- + -anus, from -anus, adjective suffix; -ean from such words as Mediterranean, European
1. one that is of or relating to <American> <Bostonian> 2. one skilled in or specializing in <phonetician> II. adjective suffix or -ian; also -ean 1. of or belonging to <American> <Floridian> 2. characteristic of ; resembling <Mozartean> III. noun suffix Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary -an, -ane, alteration of -ene, -ine, & -one 1. unsaturated organic compound <furan> 2. anhydride of a carbohydrate <dextran>
New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.