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.

268 / 291
adjective / noun / verb

total

TOH-tuhl/ˈtəʊtl/

The full amount when all parts are combined.

The total number of missing puzzle pieces is zero.

Fully assembled jigsaw puzzle without gaps, complete whole, no text.
Etymology

The root means “whole,” so total describes something with no member or part missing. That idea of wholeness also covers completeness in extent or degree.

In context

timeanddate102:09
a total solar eclipse where the moon completely covers the sun
LIVE: Total Solar Eclipse - August 12, 2026

More examples

  • She totaled the costs before placing the order.
  • The repairs came to a total of eighty dollars.
  • We are totaling the votes from each district.

Forms

total · totals · totaled · totaling

totally adverb — Completely.

Similar words

sum
The result of adding amounts.
aggregate
A combined amount or collection, often in formal contexts.