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in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
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English
Pronunciation
Etymology 1
From Middle English -el , from Old English -el , from Proto-Germanic *-ilaz .
Suffix
-el
Suffix forming nouns, originally denoting an instrument, from verbs, usually spelt -le except after n and e .
runnel , shovel , dotel
Diminutive suffix in words of Germanic origin.
hatchel , hovel , gomeral
Etymology 2
From Middle English -el , a merger of two suffixes:
Suffix
-el
Suffix, originally diminutive, in words of mostly Romance origin.
cupel , chapel , tunnel
Derived terms
Anagrams
Abenaki
Suffix
-el
Used on verbs, together with the prefix k- , to indicate that the first person singular (I) is the actor and the second person singular (you) is the object of the verb.
n'kezalmô
I love
k'kezalmel
I love you (singular)
Usage notes
The suffix is spelled -ol by some writers.
See also
Breton
Etymology
Cf. French -el (e.g. sexuel , individuel , industriel )
Suffix
-el
To make an adjective of a noun; -al
broad ( “ nation ” ) + -el → broadel ( “ national ” )
Derived terms
Czech
Pronunciation
Suffix
-el f (noun-forming suffix )
forms nouns
koupat + -el → koupel
Derived terms
Further reading
-el in Slovník afixů užívaných v češtině , 2017
Danish
Pronunciation
Suffix
-el
-al
Derived terms
Dutch
Etymology
From Old Dutch *-el , from Proto-West Germanic *-il , from Proto-Germanic *-ilaz . This etymology is incomplete. You can help Wiktionary by elaborating on the origins of this term. probably more than one etymology involved
Pronunciation
Suffix
-el (unproductive )
forms diminutive nouns
koren + -el → korrel
forms noun denoting an instrument
Synonym: -er
sluiten + -el → sleutel
Derived terms
Esperanto
Pronunciation
Suffix
-el
in way
-el is the ending for correlatives of manner or degree
Derived terms
kiel ( “ in what way, in what manner, how ” )
tiel ( “ in that way, in that manner, thus ” )
ĉiel ( “ in every way, in every manner ” )
iel ( “ in some way, in some manner, somehow ” )
neniel ( “ in no way, nohow ” )
(nonce) aliel ( “ in another way, somehow else ” )
Franco-Provençal
Pronoun
-el f
postpositive form of el
French
Etymology
Inherited from Old French -el , from Latin -ālis . Doublet of -al .
Pronunciation
Suffix
-el (feminine -elle , masculine plural -els , feminine plural -elles )
forms adjectives from nouns : -al
Derived terms
Descendants
See also
German
Etymology
From Middle High German -el , from Old High German -il , direct descendant of Proto-West Germanic *-il , from Proto-Germanic *-ilaz , or from dialectal variants of -lein , which as well ultimately go back to *-ilaz or to *-ilingaz .
Pronunciation
Suffix
-el n
suffix in diminutives ( regional )
Kind ( “ child ” ) + -el → Kindel ( “ little child, darling ” )
Haus ( “ house ” ) + -el → Häusel ( “ little house ” )
suffix in nouns indicating appurtenance
Arm ( “ arm ” ) + -el → Ärmel ( “ sleeve ” )
Eiche ( “ oak ” ) + -el → Eichel ( “ acorn ” )
suffix in agent and instrumental nouns
Büttel , Meißel , Weisel
Derived terms
Further reading
“-el ” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache
Hungarian
Etymology
From -e- + -l .
Pronunciation
Suffix
-el
( personal suffix ) Forms the second-person singular present tense of verbs ending in s, sz, z, dz (indicative mood, indefinite conjugation).
keres ( “ to seek ” ) + -el → keresel ( “ you seek, you are seeking ” )
( verb-forming suffix ) Added to a noun to form a verb .
ebéd ( “ lunch ” ) + -el → ebédel ( “ to eat lunch ” )
( noun-forming suffix ) Added to a verb to form a noun . No longer productive in this role.
lep ( “ to cover ” ) + -el → lepel ( “ wrap ” )
Usage notes
Present tense indefinite – personal suffixes
(personal suffix ) Variants:
-sz added to verbs not in the categories listed below
vár ( “ to wait ” ) + -sz → vársz ( “ you wait, you are waiting ” )
-asz added to back-vowel verbs ending in two consonants or -ít
hall ( “ to hear ” ) + -asz → hallasz ( “ you hear, you are hearing ” )
tanít ( “ to teach ” ) + -asz → tanítasz ( “ you teach, you are teaching ” )
-esz added to front-vowel verbs ending in two consonants or -ít
dönt ( “ to decide ” ) + -esz → döntesz ( “ you decide, you are deciding ” )
segít ( “ to help ” ) + -esz → segítesz ( “ you help, you are helping ” )
-ol added to back-vowel verbs ending in s, sz, z, dz
olvas ( “ to read ” ) + -ol → olvasol ( “ you read, you are reading ” )
-el added to unrounded front-vowel verbs ending in s, sz, z, dz
vesz ( “ to buy ” ) + -el → veszel ( “ you buy, you are buying ” )
-öl added to rounded front-vowel verbs ending in s, sz, z, dz
főz ( “ to cook ” ) + -öl → főzöl ( “ you cook, you are cooking ” )
(verb-forming suffix ) Variants:
-l is added to words ending in a vowel. Final -a changes to -á- . Final -e changes to -é- . Final long vowels may shorten, e.g. ű → ü .
-ol is added to some back-vowel words ending in a consonant
-al is added to other back-vowel words ending in a consonant
-el is added to unrounded (and some rounded ) front-vowel words ending in a consonant
-öl is added to most rounded front-vowel words ending in a consonant
-ál is added to some back-vowel words ending in a consonant
Note: Certain words take another, synonymous suffix, -z /-oz /-az /-ez /-öz /-áz or -zik /-ozik /-azik /-ezik /-özik .
( noun-forming suffix ) Variants:
-al is added to back-vowel words
-el is added to front-vowel words
Derived terms
See also
Low German
Etymology 1
From Middle Low German -el , from Old Saxon -il , from Proto-Germanic *-ilaz .
Suffix
-el m
Suffix forming nouns originally denoting an agent from verbs.
Lepel , Snavel , Stickel
Etymology 2
From Middle Low German -ling . Result of resegmentation of nouns with -el and -ing suffixes. See the English suffix -ling . Akin to English, Dutch and German -ling .
Suffix
-el m
A suffix that describes a male person (or other creature) in terms of a place of origin or a quality, as defined by the root to which it is added. Now often replaced by a compound with Jung for a male person, and Deern for a female person such as Lehrjung , Lehrdeern (male/female pupil).
Derived terms
Middle English
Etymology 1
From Old English -el , -ol , from Proto-West Germanic *-ul , from Proto-Germanic *-ulaz .
Pronunciation
Suffix
-el
Forms adjectives meaning "tending to" or "able to" from verbs.
Derived terms
Descendants
References
Etymology 2
From Old English -el , -ol , from Proto-West Germanic *-il , from Proto-Germanic *-ilaz .
Pronunciation
Suffix
-el
Forms diminutives from verbs or other nouns.
Forms agent nouns from verbs or other nouns.
Derived terms
Descendants
References
Etymology 3
From Old French -el , -ele , from Latin -ālis and -ellus , -ella .
Pronunciation
IPA (key ) : /-ˈɛːl(ə)/ , /-ɛl(ə)/
Suffix
-el
Forms diminutives from verbs or other nouns.
Derived terms
Descendants
Etymology 4
Suffix
-el
Alternative form of -al
Etymology 5
Suffix
-el
Alternative form of -elen
Norman
Etymology
From Old French -el , from Latin -ālis .
Suffix
-el
makes an adjectival form of a noun; -al
Derived terms
Old English
Pronunciation
Etymology 1
From Proto-Germanic *-a-l- .
Suffix
-el
Alternative form of -ol
Etymology 2
From Proto-Germanic *-ilaz .
Suffix
-el
( causes i-mutation ) agent and instrumental suffix creating nouns from verbs
crēopan ( “ to creep ” ) + -el → crypel ( “ cripple ” )
bēodan ( “ to command ” ) + -el → bydel ( “ herald, messenger ” )
spittan ( “ to dig ” ) + -el → spitel ( “ shovel ” )
hladan ( “ to lade ” ) + -el → hlædel ( “ ladle ” )
þrēapian ( “ to reprove, reprehend ” ) + -el → þrīpel ( “ instrument of punishment, cross ” )
Declension
Descendants
Old French
Pronunciation
Etymology 1
Inherited from Latin -ālis , from Proto-Italic *-ālis .
Suffix
-el
used to form an adjective
Descendants
Etymology 2
From Latin -ellus .
Suffix
-el
used to form a diminutive
Descendants
Angevin: -iau
Bourbonnais-Berrichon: -iau
Bourguignon: -eâ
Champenois: -é , -iau
Franc-Comtois: -é , -ia
French: -eau
Gallo: -ë , -iao
Lorrain: -é
Norman: -é , iaô
Picard: -iau , -ieu
Poitevin-Saintongeais: -ea
Walloon: -ea
→ Middle English: -el , -ele , -ell , -elle , -eylle , -le , -yll , -ylle
Polish
Etymology
(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium .)
Pronunciation
Suffix
-el m
forms masculine agent nouns
śmierdzieć + -el → śmierdziel
Declension
Masculine personal:
Masculine animate:
Masculine inanimate:
Derived terms
Further reading
-el in Polish dictionaries at PWN
Romani
Suffix
-el
Forms the third-person singular present indicative of consonantal oikoclitic verbs
Romanian
Etymology
Inherited from Latin -ellus .
Pronunciation
Suffix
-el m (plural -ei , feminine -ea , feminine plural -ele )
used to form a masculine diminutive of a word (e.g. băiat ( “ boy ” ) + -el → băiețel ( “ little boy ” )
Synonyms: -uș , -aș , -uț , -șor
Declension
Derived terms
Turkish
Pronunciation
Etymology 1
preceding vowel
A / I / O / U
E / İ / Ö / Ü
-al
-el
A variation of -il ( “ derives deverbals and denominals ” ) , from Proto-Turkic *-il or Proto-Turkic *-gil . Both variants are likely merged with homophonic -il ( “ derives adjectives for onomatopoeia and colors ” ) .
See şırıltı ( “ onomatopoeia for flowing water ” ) , kızıl ( “ red ” ) and yeşil ( “ green ” ) .
For words from using the same suffix, see güzel ( “ beautiful ” ) , tombul ( “ chubby ” ) , tükel ( “ complete, perfect ” ) , kutsal ( “ holy, sacred ” ) , çatal ( “ fork ” ) and çakıl ( “ gravel ” ) .
Perhaps influenced by French -al , whence -sel as in göksel or işitsel but not kutsal .[ 1]
Suffix
-el
Derives adjectives from nouns and verbs.
özel ( “ private, special ” ) from öz ( “ self ” )
Derived terms
Etymology 2
preceding vowel
A / I / O / U
E / İ / Ö / Ü
-al
-el
From Ottoman Turkish ـال ( -al, -el ) or ـل ( -l ) , a combination of Proto-Turkic *-(g)a ( verb-forming suffix ) and *-il ( passive suffix ) .[ 2] [ 3]
Suffix
-el
Derives intransitive verbs from adjectives.
ince ( “ thin ” ) + -l → ( int. ) incelmek ( “ to thin ” )
dar ( “ narrow ” ) + -al → ( int. ) daralmak ( “ to narrow ” )
çok ( “ many, much ” ) + -al → ( int. ) çoğalmak ( “ to multiply ” )
düz ( “ straight ” ) + -el → ( int. ) düzelmek ( “ to straighten ” )
kısa ( “ short ” ) + -al → ( int. ) kısalmak ( “ to shorten ” )
yön ( “ direction ” ) + -el → ( int. ) yönelmek ( “ to face, to turn towards ” )
diri ( “ alive, not dead ” ) + -l → ( int. ) dirilmek ( “ to come alive, to come back to life ” )
Derived terms
References
^ Lewis, Geoffrey (1999 ) The Turkish Language Reform: A Catastrophic Success , Oxford, New York: Oxford University Press, page 102
^ Nişanyan, Sevan (2002–), "+Al-" - in Nişanyan Sözlük
^ Çağbayır, Yaşar (2007 ) “-al ”, in Ötüken Türkçe Sözlük (in Turkish), Istanbul: Ötüken Neşriyat, page 184
Volapük
Suffix
-el
Used to indicate a maker of a certain thing.
Derived terms