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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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A close-up of a realistic molar with a clearly visible irregular decay hole in its chewing surface, flanked by two sound teeth for contrast.
noun

cavity

KAV-uh-tee/ˈkævəti/

A hollow space within a solid body.

Etymology
cavLatinhollow
+ityLatina quality or state

The underlying meaning is 'hollowness,' which became the name for a particular hollow or empty space. A dental cavity is that same idea applied to a hole caused by tooth decay.

Full entry

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