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.

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adjective

lethal

LEE-thuhl/ˈliːθl/

Capable of causing death or devastating harm.

The hazard symbol warns that the bottle’s contents may be lethal.

A small stoppered poison bottle bearing a prominent skull-and-crossbones hazard pictogram, making its potentially fatal contents immediately recognizable.
Etymology
lethLatindeath
+alLatinof, relating to

The death noun and adjective ending formed a word meaning “deadly” or “fatal,” directly underlying the modern sense. The deeper origin of the Latin noun is uncertain.

In context

The Infographics Show3:40
If a lethal dose is inhaled or ingested, the poison immediately starts shutting down the energy generators of the body, and death occurs within minutes or even seconds.
Why Getting Naked Can Help You Survive Cyanide Poisoning

More examples

  • The attack proved lethal.
  • A small leak could create a lethal danger.
  • The striker’s lethal finishing decided the match.

Forms

lethal

lethally adverb — in a way that causes death

Similar words

deadly
The common equivalent.
fatal
Causing death rather than merely capable of doing so.