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.

321 / 336
A Black woman and white man converse face to face, subtle blank speech bubbles.
adjective

verbal

VER-bul/ˈvɜːrbl/

Relating to words, especially spoken language.

Etymology
verbLatinword
+alLatinof, relating to

The pieces mean “relating to words,” with verbum retaining its broad meaning rather than just the grammatical one. This general relationship to language also developed the more specific sense “expressed in spoken words.”

Full entry

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