suffix · masculinefirst declension
-ītēs
-ītēs m (genitive -ītae)
Classical[iː.teːs]Ecclesiastical[i.tes]
Meaning
- morphemeadjective-forming suffix, especially of nominalized adjectives identifying groups of people as "those belonging to"
Origins
Derived from Ancient Greek -ῑ́της (-ī́tēs). Adopted in Latin as part of Greek loanwords, as -ītēs, often also as -īta. Often in Biblical tribal names. Thus either Levītēs or Levīta, plural in -ītae. In medieval Latin of religious groups, such as Marcionītae, Ebiōnītae, Monophysītae, etc.
Descendants
- English-ite
- French-ite
- German-it