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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.

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adjective

historical

hih-STOR-ih-kl/hɪˈstɔːrɪkl/

Relating to past events or their study.

The historian compares two pieces of historical evidence.

A historian studies archival evidence of the past, comparing an aged photograph of a steam railway with an old illustrated railway map.
Etymology
historicLatinof history
+alLatinof, relating to

The base’s “history” reaches back to inquiry and an account of what was learned, later focused on past events. The added adjective ending makes historical describe a connection with those events or their study.

In context

Bestravelvideo4:06
step into the past and discover the historical treasures hidden within this remarkable ancient palace.
Thessaloniki Rotunda & Galerius Palace aerial with narration

More examples

  • She studies historical changes in the coastline.
  • The novel is set in a carefully researched historical period.
  • The report provides historical context.

Forms

historical

historically adverb — in or with reference to the past

Similar words

past
Belonging to an earlier time.
historic
Important in history, rather than simply connected with it.