DictionaryRoot: -ilis
Latin
-ilis
able or suitable to be; connected with
Forms
- -ilis
- -ile — The ending shortened in later borrowings.
Origin
A Latin descriptive ending with older Indo-European relatives.
Note
Ability is one use, not a meaning that fits every word formed with this ending.
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adjective
virile
VEER-ul/ˈvɪrəl/
Having traditionally masculine vigor or sexual potency.
Etymology
The pieces mean “of a man,” originally marking adult male qualities in contrast with those of women or boys. That broad association with manhood developed into the more specific ideas of masculine force and sexual vigor.