-ety

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English

Etymology 1

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.

Alternatively, perhaps imitative of repeated action.[1]

Alternative forms

Suffix

-ety

  1. Added to monosyllabic words, typically nouns or adjectives, to extend their form.
    1. Often with frequentative force.
      jig + ‎-ety → ‎jiggety
      hip-hop + ‎-ety → ‎hippety-hoppety
      yack + ‎-ety → ‎yackety-yak
    2. Also seen in other fanciful compounds.
      dig + ‎-ety → ‎diggety, hot diggety dog
      lick + ‎-ety → ‎lickety, lickety-split

Etymology 2

Cognate of -ity, ultimately from Latin -(i)tās.[2] See more at -ity.

Alternative forms

Suffix

-ety

  1. Used to indicate qualities or states.
    contrary + ‎-ety → ‎contrariety

References

  1. ^ -ety, suffix”, in OED Online Paid subscription required, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, November 2010.
  2. ^ -ity, suffix”, in OED Online Paid subscription required, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, December 2020.

See also

Anagrams