-al; -ial, -eal

(Latin: suffix; pertaining to, like, of the kind of, relating to, characterized by, belonging to; action of, process of)

clestial
cnemial (adjective) (no comparatives)
Referring to the shin bone or tibia; that is, the leg bone just below the knee: The cnemial part of the leg articulates with the head of the fibula above and with the talus below.

cochineal
collateral (s) (noun), collaterals (pl)
1, In financial situations, property or goods used as security for a loan and forfeited if the loan is not repaid by the borrower: The Smith’s house was used as a collateral in case the debt they had with the bank was not paid back.
2. A relative descended from the same ancestor as another person but through a different set of parents, grandparents, and other earlier relatives: The inheritance went to Marilyn, the only survivor of the family who was an old lady; the collaterals were all very distant relatives and not directly akin to each other.
3. Etymology: from medieval Latin collateralis, literally "side by side with", from Latin lateralis, "on the side".
Property that is acceptable as security for a loan or other financial obligation.
© ALL rights are reserved.

Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.

collegial
1. Characterized by or having authority vested equally among colleagues.
2. A reference to, resembling, or typical of a college or college students.
colloquial
1. Appropriate to, used in, or characteristic of spoken language or of writing that is used to create the effect of conversation; belonging to common speech as opposed to formal speaking.
2. Characteristic of, or proper to, ordinary conversation; such as, being distinguished from formal or elevated language.
colluvial (adjective), more colluvial, most colluvial
A reference to the loose accumulation of rock and soil debris or deposits at the bottom of a slope: When hiking, Eugene and Fritz noticed a colluvial amount of sediment or earth at the bottom of the cliff.

Colin, the geologist, was fascinated by the colluvial accumulation of rock fragments, silt, sand, and gravel that was deposited at the bottoms of the steep sides of the hills.

Some descending surfaces are formed by the accumulation of small pieces of colluvial rock fragments that have been transported down the sides of hills or mountains by flowing water or snow slides.

Colluvial material typically gathers in the dry valleys of chalk-lands and also at the foot of escarpments or valley sides.

colossal (adjective), more colossal, most colossal
1. Extremely great or large; or so great in size or force to such an extent as to result in serious challenges or situations: The colossal force of last night's thunderstorm knocked out the electrical power system in Ava's area for over an hour.

During the very strong wind storm, a colossal oak tree fell over during the night and destroyed a large section of a big office building.

2. Beyond belief or understanding: Those talk-show hosts obviously have colossal egos which they often present when they start their rantings and ravings.
Enormous in size or extent or degree.
© ALL rights are reserved.

Incredible or astonishing mistake.
© ALL rights are reserved.

Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
for a list of additional Mickey Bach illustrations.

commaterial
Consisting of the same material with something else.
commercial (adjective), more commercial, most commercial
1. Descriptive of something which is intended to make money: A lot of commercial activity was going on in the center of the city, with all the stores and shops open until late at night, and sometimes never closing!
2. Referring to television and radio broadcasts which are paid for by advertisements and not by the government: The commercial TV programs were interspersed with ads offering clothing, detergents, cars, food, etc.
3. Concerning a conveyance which transports passengers who have paid, or goods which have been paid for: Trains, busses, and airplanes are all examples of commercial vehicles for the use of everybody.
4. Regarding something to be offered in shops without placing value on its originality or quality: The new bookstore was interested in the commercial aspect of selling books and so they had many popular and easy-to-read books on sale.
confidential (noun), more confidential, most confidential
Characterized by the communication of secrets or private matters.
congenial (adjective), more congenial, most congenial
1. Descriptive of something pleasant and which is suited to someone’s character or tastes: Sharon told Mike that she found it a very congenial and agreeable atmosphere in which to work with him and his staff.
2. Referring to a person, or to a  condition, that is compatible in tastes, interests, attitudes, or backgrounds: Shirley and Monroe had a carefree trip with their congenial travel companions.
3. Descriptive of an outgoing and pleasant character: Mark's mother has a congenial nature that makes her a well-loved person in the community.
A reference to having agreeble and similar agreements.
© ALL rights are reserved.

Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.

conidial (adjective), more conidial, most conidial
corneal
A reference to the cornea, the clear front window of the eye that transmits and focuses light into the eye.
corporeal (adjective), more corporeal, most corporeal
Descriptive, or characteristic of, the physical body which is the opposite of a spiritual or emotional one: A human, or animal, structure that is corporeal, exists in this real world and it is a fancy way of saying "bodily or physical".

It's like when a supervisor catches someone daydreaming at work and says: "You need to bring your mental sharpness, not just your corporeal presence to the job."