rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryRoot: -ikos
Greek

-ikos

connected with or characteristic of

Forms

  • -ikos
  • -ic — The ending shortened as Greek words entered Latin, French, and English.

Origin

Greek -ikos continued an older Indo-European ending used to describe a connection or kind.

Note

English extended this borrowed ending to newly coined words.

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Devilish figure maliciously confining a songbird.
adjective

diabolic

dye-uh-BAH-lik/ˌdaɪəˈbɑlɪk/

Extremely wicked or unpleasant.

Etymology
diaGreekthrough, across; apart
+bolGreekthrow or cast
+icGreekconnected with or characteristic of

The Greek “throw across” verb also meant “slander”; its agent noun meant “accuser” and became a name for the Devil. The adjective consequently describes devilish or outrageously wicked behavior.

Full entry

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