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.
81 / 163
adjective / noun
iambic
eye-AM-bik/aɪˈæmbɪk/
A poetic rhythm built from pairs of syllables, each unstressed then stressed.
Etymology
From iambos, the adjective describes verse employing iambs. Classical iambic rhythm depended on syllable length, whereas the selected English sense describes an unstressed-then-stressed pattern.
Related word entries
- aesthetic
- analytic
- analytical
- anatomic
- angelic
- apocalyptic
- apoplectic
- archaic
- architectonic
- Arctic
- aristocratic
- aromatic
- arrhythmic
- arthritic
- ascetic
- asthmatic
- athletic
- authentic
- axiomatic
- barbaric
- basilica
- botanic
- cataleptic
- catalytic
- catholicBroad interests
- CatholicRoman church
- caustic
- cephalic
- ceramic
- choleric
- chronicLong-lasting or recurring
- chronicPotent marijuana
- chronicle
- cleric
- clinic
- colic
- conic
- cosmetic
- cosmic
- critic
- critique
- cryptic
- cubic
- cyclic
- cynicAncient Greek philosophy follower
- cynicDistrustful person
- democraticPopular control
- DemocraticPolitical party affiliation
- diabolic
- dialectic
- diatonic
- didactic
- dogmatic
- dramatic
- dynamic
- eclectic
- economic
- emetic
- emphatic
- empiric
- empirical
- epic
- epidemic
- epileptic
- erotic
- esoteric
- ethic
- ethics
- ethnic
- grammatical
- harmonic
- hegemonic
- hepatic
- heretic
- heroic
- heroics
- hieroglyphic
- hydraulic
- hysteric
- hysterical
- iambic
- iconic
- laconic
- lethargic
- logic
- lyricSong words
- lyricPersonal poetic expression
- magic
- mechanic
- melodic
- metabolic
- metallic
- mimic
- mnemonic
- music
- musical
- mystic
- mythic
- ophthalmic
- optic
- organicCarbon chemistry
- organicFarming and food standards
- organicNatural development
- organicLiving organisms
- panegyric
- panic
- parabolic
- paralytic
- parasitic
- pathetic
- patriotic
- peptic
- phallic
- philanthropic
- philosophic
- phonetic
- physic
- physics
- physique
- platonic
- pneumatic
- polemic
- politicPrudent and tactful
- politicGovernment and public affairs
- political
- politician
- pragmaticLanguage in context
- pragmaticPractical approach
- problematic
- prognostic
- prophetic
- prophylactic
- psych
- psychic
- psychological
- rheumatic
- rhythmic
- scenic
- semantic
- somatic
- sophisticate
- sophistication
- spastic
- sporadic
- staticUnchanging state
- staticSignal interference
- stoic
- stoicism
- strategic
- sycophantic
- syntheticArtificial material
- syntheticCombining elements
- syntheticGrammar through word forms
- systematicOrganized method
- systematicWhole-system scope
- technique
- tectonic
- thematic
- tonic
- topic
- toxic
- traumatic
- tropic