What does -ic mean?

-ic meaning in Etymology Dictionary

adjective suffix, "having related to, having the nature of, becoming, made of, due to, comparable to" (in biochemistry, showing a greater valence than names in -ous), from French -ique and straight from Latin -icus, which in numerous situations signifies Greek -ikos "in the manner of; pertaining to." From PIE *-(i)ko, which also yielded Slavic -isku, adjectival suffix indicating source, the origin associated with -sky (Russian -skii) in lots of surnames.


-ic meaning in General Dictionary

A suffix signifying, in general, concerning, or feature of; as, historic, hygienic, telegraphic, etc.

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  • A suffix, denoting your element indicated enters into specific substances with its highest valence, or with a valence reasonably greater than in compounds where the title of element finishes in -ous; since, ferric, sulphuric. Additionally, it is used in the overall feeling of pertaining to; because, hydric, sodic, calcic.

-ic meaning in General Dictionary

A suffix signifying, overall, regarding, or feature of; as, historical, hygienic, telegraphic, etc.

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  • A suffix, denoting the factor indicated enters into certain compounds with its highest valence, or with a valence relatively more than in substances where the title of element leads to -ous; as, ferric, sulphuric. Additionally, it is used in the general sense of regarding; as, hydric, sodic, calcic.

Sentence Examples with the word -ic

An acid terminating in -ous forms a salt ending in -ite, and an oxyacid ending in -ic forms a salt ending in -ate.

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