suffixfirst/second-declension suffix (nominative masculine singular in -er)
-aster
-aster (feminine -astra, neuter -astrum)
Classical[ˈas.tɛr]Ecclesiastical[ˈas.ter]
Meaning
- morphemesuffixsuffix of nouns or adjectives, expressing half, partial, or incomplete resemblance to the root word meaning; hence in some cases may be pejorative
pater (“father”) + -aster → patraster (“father-in-law; stepfather”)
pullus (“chicken”) + -astra → pullastra (“young hen; pullet”)
Origins
From suffix originally forming Ancient Greek nouns from verbs ending in -άζειν (-ázein).
Descendants
- Catalan-astre
- French-âtre
- Italian-astro
- Portuguese-astro
- Romanian-astru
- Spanish-astro
- Sicilian-astru