This Proto-Slavic entry contains reconstructed terms and roots. As such, the term(s) in this entry are not directly attested, but are hypothesized to have existed based on comparative evidence.

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Subclass of the broader suffix *-nikъ, particularly formed on the basis of the past passive participle suffix *-enъ +‎ *-ikъ.

*-enikъ m

1. From verbs in i-conjugation, predominantly forms agent nouns.

   ‎*galiti (“to fondle”) + ‎*-enikъ → ‎*gaľenikъ (“darling”)

   ‎*mǫčiti (“to torture”) + ‎*-enikъ → ‎*mǫčenikъ (“martyr”)

   ‎*portiti (“to envoy”) + ‎*-enikъ → ‎*portenikъ (“envoy”)

   ‎*svętiti (“to sanctify”) + ‎*-enikъ → ‎*svęťenikъ (“priest”)

   ‎*učiti (“to teach”) + ‎*-enikъ → ‎*učenikъ (“student”)

2. (rare) From action or abstract nouns, forms agent nouns.

   ‎*našьstvьje (“invasion”) + ‎*-enikъ → ‎*našьstvenikъ (“invader”)

   ‎*rodьstvo (“kinship”) + ‎*-enikъ → ‎*rodьstvenikъ (“kinsman”)

• Moderately productive.
• In many cases, the derivation feels more natural if one applies *-ikъ directly onto the participle (X-enъ → X-enikъ).

• *-enica f, *-eničьka f (feminine counter-parts)