DictionaryRoot: -arius
Latin
-arius
connected with; a person concerned with
Forms
- -arius
- -ary — The ending shortened in French and English.
- -aire — One French development of the ending.
Origin
A Latin ending for relationships, occupations, and associated things.
Note
Its descendants can name a person, a place, or a quality; the surrounding word determines the contribution.
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noun / adjective
mercenary
MUR-suh-nair-ee/ˈmɜːrsəneri/
Acting chiefly for financial reward.
Etymology
The wage root points to someone serving for pay. Originally a general term for a hired worker, mercenary became specifically a professional soldier serving a foreign army.
Related word entries
- actuary
- adversary
- agrarian
- alimentary
- apothecary
- arbitrary
- archer
- binary
- bursar
- calamari
- carpenter
- cavalierGallant gentleman
- cavalierDismissive lack of concern
- CavalierRoyalist supporter
- centenary
- commentary
- commissarySupply official
- commissaryFood and provisions facility
- contemporary
- contrary
- coronary
- corsair
- culinary
- customary
- customer
- cutler
- diary
- dictionary
- dietary
- disciplinary
- dispensary
- dromedary
- elementary
- emissary
- extraordinary
- farmer
- farrier
- fiduciary
- funerary
- gregarious
- hereditary
- hostler
- incendiary
- itinerary
- judiciary
- legendary
- library
- literary
- mammary
- manner
- manners
- mariner
- mercenary
- momentary
- monetary
- mortuary
- necessary
- notary
- obituary
- officer
- ordinaryUsual character or state
- ordinaryOfficial with established authority
- pecuniary
- penitentiary
- pituitary
- plenary
- plenipotentiary
- plumber
- primaryMain importance
- primaryCandidate selection
- proprietary
- pulmonary
- refractory
- rosary
- rotaryTurning motion
- rotaryService organization
- salivary
- scenario
- secondary
- secretaryGovernment department leader
- secretaryAdministrative support
- sectarian
- sedentary
- soldier
- solitaireSingle gemstone
- solitaireSingle-player game
- solitary
- stationary
- statuary
- subsidiaryControlled company
- subsidiarySecondary role
- temporary
- terrier
- tertiaryCarbon bonding
- tertiaryThird in order
- tributaryFeeding a larger stream
- tributaryPayment to a ruling power
- urinary
- usurer
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