DictionaryRoot: -itas
Latin
-itas
a quality or state
Forms
- -itas
- -itat- — Latin stem used outside the basic noun form.
- -ity — English form developed through French.
Origin
Latin -tas, a suffix for abstract nouns, with a preceding i; the suffix continues an older Indo-European abstract-noun formation.
Note
Turns a description into something that can be discussed as a quality in its own right.
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noun
atrocity
uh-TRAH-suh-tee/əˈtrɑːsəti/
An extremely cruel act or quality.
Etymology
The pieces first describe the quality of being cruel or frightful. Atrocity shifted from enormous wickedness in general to a particular deed displaying that wickedness.
Related word entries
- ability
- absurdity
- acidity
- activity
- actuality
- acuity
- adversity
- affinity
- agility
- alacrity
- ambiguity
- animosity
- annuity
- antiquity
- aridity
- atrocity
- audacity
- austerity
- authority
- brevity
- capacityHolding limit
- capacityRole
- captivity
- carnality
- cavity
- celebrity
- chastity
- clarity
- commodity
- community
- conformity
- congruity
- continuity
- credibility
- credulity
- criminality
- crudity
- cruelty
- culpability
- cupidity
- curiosity
- deformity
- density
- dexterity
- dignity
- diversity
- divinity
- docility
- duality
- durability
- entity
- equality
- equanimity
- eternity
- extremity
- falsity
- familiarity
- fatality
- fecundity
- felicityPleasing appropriateness
- felicityHappiness
- fertility
- fidelity
- finality
- flexibility
- fragility
- frailty
- fraternity
- frigidity
- futility
- generality
- generosity
- geniality
- heredity
- hilarity
- hostility
- humanities
- humanityHumankind
- humanityStudies of human culture
- humanityCompassion
- humidity
- humility
- immaturity
- immensity
- immobility
- immortality
- immunity
- immutability
- impetuosity
- implacability
- impunity
- impurity
- inanity
- incapacity
- incredulity
- indemnity
- indignity
- inequality
- infallibility
- infertility
- infidelity
- infinity
- infirmity
- ingenuity
- inhumanity
- iniquity
- insanity
- insecurity
- instability
- integrity
- invisibility
- irregularity
- jocularity
- laxity
- legality
- levity
- liquidity
- locality
- longevity
- lucidity
- magnanimity
- majority
- materiality
- maternity
- mediocrity
- mendacity
- minority
- mobility
- modality
- modernity
- monstrosity
- morality
- mortality
- multiplicity
- nativity
- necessity
- neutrality
- obesity
- obliquity
- obscenity
- opacity
- opportunity
- parity
- partiality
- paternity
- paucity
- penalty
- perpetuity
- personality
- perversity
- plurality
- pomposity
- possibility
- posterity
- priority
- probability
- probity
- proclivity
- profanity
- profundity
- prolixity
- propinquity
- proportionality
- prosperity
- proximity
- publicity
- puerility
- pugnacity
- purity
- quality
- quantity
- rapacity
- rapidity
- rarity
- rationality
- reality
- realty
- religiosity
- rigidity
- safetyProtection from harm
- safetyTwo-point football score
- sagacity
- sanctity
- securityProtection
- securityTradable investment
- seniority
- sensibility
- sensuality
- serenity
- severity
- simplicity
- sincerity
- sociability
- solemnity
- solidity
- sorority
- specialty
- spirituality
- stability
- stupidity
- suavity
- sublimity
- subtlety
- superfluity
- suretyGuarantee
- suretyCertainty
- temerity
- tenacity
- timidity
- tranquility
- trinity
- ubiquity
- unanimity
- uniformity
- university
- validity
- vanityDressing table
- vanityWorthlessness
- vanityExcessive pride
- velocity
- venality
- veracity
- verity
- vicinity
- virginity
- virility
- viscosity
- visibility
- vitality
- vivacity
- vulgarity