rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryRoot: -osus
Latin

-osus

full of, having; characterized by

Forms

  • -osus
  • -ous — English ending developed through French.
  • -ose — A learned English form based on the Latin suffix.

Origin

Latin -osus, a suffix attached to nouns; its deeper formation is uncertain.

Note

Usually marks a characteristic, without requiring a literal abundance of anything.

8 / 117
A shallow metal pan of thick black mineral pitch, with a lifted palette knife drawing out a short sticky ribbon to reveal its tar-like consistency.
adjective

bituminous

bih-TOO-muh-nus/bɪˈtuːmɪnəs/

Containing, resembling, or relating to bitumen.

Etymology
bituminLatinasphalt, mineral pitch
+ousLatinfull of, having; characterized by

The adjective ending turns bitumen, “mineral pitch,” into a description of things having its nature. Bituminous therefore covers resemblance to asphalt as well as the presence of the substance itself.

Full entry

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