rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryRoot: -al
English

-al

connected with

Forms

  • -al

Origin

Borrowed through French and Latin from Latin -alis.

Note

English now adds it to new bases as well as retaining it in inherited borrowings.

13 / 14
An unlabeled map of North America with one continuous railway spanning the landmass from the Pacific coast to the Atlantic coast.
adjective

transcontinental

tranz-kahn-tih-NEN-tuhl/ˌtrænzˌkɑːntɪˈnentl/

Crossing or spanning a continent.

Etymology
transLatinacross, beyond; from one side to another
+continentEnglishmajor landmass
+alEnglishconnected with

Continental means relating to a continent; adding trans- makes the relationship one of crossing. The word therefore describes something extending across the landmass, not merely situated somewhere within it.

Full entry

Related word entries