fac-, facil-, fact-, feas-, -feat, -fect, -feit, -facient, -faction, -fic-, -fy, -ficate, -fication

1. A letter, or group of letters, added to the end of a word or word part to form another term: Suffixes are clearly expressed with such elements as, -ly in "quickly", -ing in "talking", -ness in "gentleness", -ing in "walking", and -s in "sits".

Suffixes are also defined as groups of letters placed at the end of words to modify their meanings or to change them for different grammatical functions; for example, from adjectives to adverbs, etc.

2. Something added to the end of of something else: The suffix of the evening meal at June's birthday party was the singing of "Happy birthday" by the guests.

1. To add a letter, or letters, to the end of a word to form a slightly different meaning: Examples of suffixed parts are -s and -ness as shown in "dogs" and "softness".
2. To include or to attach something to the end of another item: After asking his mother if he could go to the movie with his girlfriend, he made sure to suffix his request with, "please".

The formation of a word with an attachment at the end of a verbal element or word stem: Tommy learned how to use suffixations as he produced new and interesting terms for his short essay; for example, using an ed on some verbs to form past tenses or using ness at the end of some adjectives to form nouns.

Anything that is added to the end of something else: The couple was surprised by the suffixion of a free cup of coffee when they finished their dinner at the restaurant.

1. Pertaining to something on or near the surface: Monroe had a superficial wound when he bumped into the frame of a door last night.

Fortunately Henry only had a superficial wound during the car accident.

2. Concerned with or comprehending only what is apparent or obvious; shallow: Jane told Sam that she was not interested in having a superficial relationship.
3. Apparent rather than actual or substantial: Despite the superficial resemblance, the two paintings at the exhibition were by two different artists.

Shirley had a superficial resemblance to her sister.

4. Trivial; insignificant: The editor made only a few superficial changes in the text of the reporter's article.
5. Etymology: "of or relating to a surface" from Latin superficialis, "of or pertaining to the surface"; from superficies, "surface"; from super, "above, over" + facies, "form, face"; meaning "not deep" or "thorough" as to perceptions, thoughts, etc. © ALL rights are reserved.

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1. An excessive number or quantity of something, especially so much of it that people become sickened, repelled, or bored by it.
2. Overindulgence, or a bout of overindulgence, in something, especially food or drink.
3. Disgust or revulsion resulting from overindulgence.
4. Etymology: from Old French surfet, "excess"; noun use of surfaire "to overdo"; from sur-, "over" + faire, "to do"; from Latin facere, "to make".

1. To feed or to supply to excess or disgust: Mac was so surfeited with office work that he almost quit his job.

The issue of immigrants, who are trying to leave their various geographical areas and are surfeiting into European countries in hopes of refuge, has become a serious problem!

2. Etymology: from Old French surfet, "excess"; from Latin surfaire "to overdo"; from sur-, "over" + faire, "to do" which is from Latin facere, "to make".

The sense of "eat or drink to excess, overfeed", is first recorded in Middle English in 1422.

The figurative sense of "fill or supply to excess" is first recorded in 1592.

© ALL rights are reserved.
© ALL rights are reserved.

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

1. Frightful; causing terror; terrifying; very bad or unpleasant.
2. Informal: Causing awe or amazement; extraordinarily great or intense.
3. Extremely good; wonderful: "We had a terrific vacation."
4. Etymology: from Latin terrificus, "causing terror or fear", from terrere, "fill with fear" plus root of facere, "to make".

Weakened sensed of "very great, severe"; such as, "I have a terrific headache" appeared in 1809. The colloquial sense of "excellent" began about 1888.

To a very high degree or very great extent; in an extreme way.

A cause of great fear.

Thrown into a state of intense fear or desperation; panicky, panicked, panic-stricken, panic-struck, extremely frightened: "The terrified girls hurried home as quickly as possible when they got off the bus late at night."