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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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A mechanic kneels beside the front wheel of a modern car, tightening a wheel nut with a socket wrench seated properly on the nut.
noun

mechanic

muh-KAN-ik/məˈkænɪk/

A person who repairs machinery, especially vehicles.

Etymology
mechanGreekdevice, tool, machine
+icGreekconnected with or characteristic of

The pieces describe someone associated with tools or machines. English mechanic originally covered artisans and manual workers broadly, then narrowed toward skilled workers who make or repair machinery.

Full entry

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