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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noun

mistral

MIS-trul/ˈmɪstrəl/

A strong, cold northwesterly wind in southern France.

The cold mistral whips the pedestrian's clothing beside the Rhône in Avignon.

A bundled pedestrian braces against a fierce wind beside the Rhône in Avignon; the recognizable incomplete medieval bridge anchors the southern French setting, while wind-whipped clothing, bent vegetation and rough water communicate the cold, forceful wind.
Etymology
mistrLatinchief, teacher, or master
+alLatinof, relating to

The “master” image identifies this as the dominant wind. That name belongs to the strong, cold northerly wind blowing through southern France.

More examples

  • A fierce mistral keeps us off the beach near Marseille.
  • The shutters rattle as the mistral sweeps through the village.
  • These thick stone walls offer shelter from winter mistrals.

Forms

mistral · mistrals

Similar words

northwester
Any wind from the northwest, not specifically in southern France.
gale
A very strong wind, regardless of direction, temperature, or region.