DictionaryRoot: -y
English

-y

having, full of, or like

Forms

  • -y
  • -i- — Used before another ending when English spelling changes y to i.

Origin

From Old English -ig, an older Germanic descriptive ending.

Note

Its contribution ranges from containing something to merely resembling it.

2 / 3
adjective

shiny

Reflecting light with a bright or polished appearance.

Etymology

The shining verb supplies the base of the adjective. Shiny describes a surface that noticeably sends light back toward the viewer.

Full entry

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