rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryRoot: -alis
Latin

-alis

of, relating to

Forms

  • -alis
  • -aris — Latin variant especially used when the stem already contained l, avoiding a repeated l sound.
  • -al — English ending borrowed through French or directly from Latin.
  • -ar — English ending continuing Latin -aris.

Origin

An older Latin adjective-forming suffix; its more remote ancestry is uncertain.

Note

Expresses a relationship without specifying its kind: material, place, purpose, and other connections are possible.

169 / 336
An adult female kangaroo standing in side-three-quarter view, with a small joey peeking naturally from her abdominal pouch, clearly illustrating a mammal whose young develop in a pouch.
noun / adjective

marsupial

mar-SOO-pee-uhl/mɑrsˈupiʌl/

A mammal whose young typically develop in a pouch.

Etymology
marsupiLatinpouch, purse
+alLatinof, relating to

The pieces describe an animal as “having a pouch,” referring to the pouch in which its young often develop. Originally an adjective, marsupial became a noun naming the animal.

Full entry

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