-ory

(Latin: a suffix of adjectives ending in -ory; of or relating to; like; resembling)

laudatory (adjective), more laudatory, most laudatory
1. Relating to approval which is full of praise: Carol's boss was quick to make laudatory comments about her good work.
2. A reference to speech or writing expressing or conferring praise: The critic wrote a laudatory review of the new play that was performed recently.

Martha was overwhelmed by the speaker's laudatory remarks regarding her volunteer work.

Characteristic of expressing high praise.
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maledictory (adjective), more maledictory, most maledictory
Of the nature of, or resembling a condemnation or slanderous comment: The news columnist reserved her most maledictory comments for the senator; in fact, he was a frequent target of her disparaging or uncomplimentary remarks.
masticatory (adjective), more masticatory, most masticatory
Pertaining to the process of chewing; originally, for medical purposes.
natatory
Swimming; characterized by swimming.
negatory (adjective); more negatory, most negatory
A description of something which strongly expresses denial; negative: The negatory and pessimistic answer that Susan gave surprised everyone in the room, since she was always supportive and cooperative in all aspects of the project.
olfactory (adjective), more olfactory, most olfactory
A reference to the sense of smell: Obviously, the nose is an olfactory organ for detecting odors.
Pertaining to smelling.
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oratory
1. The art of speaking in public with style, cogency, and grace.
2. Eloquence in public speaking; especially, of the kind that shows the speaker's rhetorical skills.
palliatory (adjective), more palliatory, most palliatory
Characterized by palliation; having the function or effect of palliating.
phonatory
A reference to phonation.
polysensory (adjective), more polysensory, most polysensory
1. Regarding something that is responsive to multiple agents or stimuli: The home alarm system that was installed in Jeremy's house was a polysensory system which responded to light and to movements.
2. Affecting or pertaining to several physical mechanisms of feelings: When examining a patient's nervous system, a physician usually includes polysensory tests of touch, position, pain, and reactions to vibrations as the following examples show:
  • Light touch with a piece of cotton when the patient's eyes are closed.
  • Pin punctures to test pain sensations at different parts of the patient's body
  • Pain pinch by squeezing, with a finger and a thumb, the Achilles tendon at the back of the heel.
  • Vibration with a tuning fork held against a prominent bone of the ankle or another bone.
  • Position sense when the patient, with eyes closed, says in which direction his or her finger is moved by the physician.
  • Two-point discrimination which measures the ability of the patient to distinguish between two sharp pains and a single sharp pain.
potatory
1. Pertaining to or given to drinking; for example, "She was an expert in the potatory pleasures of French and California wines."
2. Relating to or participating in drinking.
proclamatory (adjective), more proclamatory, most proclamatory
1. Descriptive of the process of making a public announcement: The proclamatory nature of the notice posted in the government buildingĀ underscored the importance of the information therein.
2. A reference to the redevelopment of soil so it is good for cultivation: The soil reclamation specialist used several proclamatory minerals and fertilizers to bring the land back to a condition that would be acceptable for cultivation.
revisory
1. Referring to, relating to, effecting, or having the power of revision or making changes.
2. Concerning, or for the purpose of revision or making changes.
3. Having the power or purpose to revise
salivatory
Causing salivation.
satisfactory (adjective), more satisfactory, most satisfactory
Something that is good enough to be accepted in a particular situation or which fulfills a particular need or purpose: Sam's job requires a satisfactory level of performance; however, although his work has been adequate, it has not been outstanding.