-y

I. adjective suffix also -ey Etymology: Middle English, from Old English -ig; akin to Old High German -īg -y, Latin -icus, Greek -ikos, Sanskrit -ika 1. a. characterized by ; full of <

blossomy

> <

dirty

> <

muddy

> <

clayey

> b. having the character of ; composed of <

icy

> <

waxy

> c. like ; like that of <

homey

> <

wintry

> — often with a disparaging connotation <

stagy

> 2. a. tending or inclined to <

sleepy

> <

chatty

> b. giving occasion for (specified) action <

teary

> c. performing (specified) action <

curly

> II. noun suffix (plural -ies) Etymology: Middle English -ie, from Anglo-French, from Latin -ia, from Greek -ia, -eia 1. state ; condition ; quality <

beggary

> 2. activity, place of business, or goods dealt with <

chandlery

> <

laundry

> 3. whole body or group <

soldiery

> III. noun suffix (plural -ies) Etymology: Middle English -ie, from Anglo-French, from Latin -ium instance of a (specified) action <

entreaty

> <

inquiry

> IV. — see -ie