-y

I

or -ey I

aff. an adjective-forming suffix meaning “characterized by or inclined to” the substance or action of the word or stem to which the suffix is attached:

bloody; cloudy; sexy; squeaky[/ex]

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Etymology: OE -ig; c. G -ig II

-y or -ie

aff. a noun-forming suffix, added to monosyllabic bases, occurring in endearing or familiar names or common nouns formed from personal names, other nouns, and adjectives (Billy; Susie; birdie; granny; sweetie; tummy) and in various other usu. informal coinages, sometimes pejorative (boonies; goalie; groupie; Okie; rookie). This suffix also forms from adjectives nouns that denote exemplary or extreme instances of the quality specified (baddie; biggie), sometimes focusing on a restricted, usu. unfavorable sense of the adjective (sharpie; sickie; whitey)

Compare -o,-sy

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Etymology: late ME (Scots) III

-y

aff. a suffix of various origins used in the formation of action nouns from verbs (inquiry), and also found in other abstract nouns (infamy)

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Etymology: repr. L -ia -ia, -ium -ium; Gk -ia, -eia, -ion; F -ie; G -ie