-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.

16 / 291

adjective

austral

AW-struhl/ˈɔːstrəl/

Relating to the south or southern regions.

The globe highlights the austral regions south of the equator.

A simple globe with the Southern Hemisphere emphasized in restrained natural color and the Northern Hemisphere left lightly drawn, making the southern regions the clear focus.

Etymology

austrLatinsouth wind; south

+alLatinof, relating to

Latin auster names both the south wind and the south itself. Austral expresses a relation to that direction, extending the wind’s name to southern places and regions.

More examples

Several plants are characteristic of austral regions.
The observatory tracks stars in the austral sky.
Snow covers the research station throughout the austral winter.

Similar words

southern: Is the ordinary term for location or orientation toward the south.
antarctic: Specifically concerns Antarctica rather than southern regions generally.