-ium Definition
-ium
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English
Etymology
From Latin -um (“neuter singular morphological suffix”), based on Latin terms for metals, such as ferrum.
Suffix
-ium
- Used to form the names of metal elements, after the style of early-named elements, as well as the isotopes of hydrogen.
- By extension, appended to common words to create scientific-sounding or humorous-sounding fictional substance names.
- 2009, Selena Kitt, Quickies, p. 91:
- We're at the North Pole, aren't we? Let's just call the new element Santa Clausium!
- 2007, Jason Lethcoe, Wishing Well, appendix p. ii:
- Stupidium: Exposure to this Element can cause very silly behavior.
- 1997, Bryan Pfaffenberger, Official Microsoft Internet Explorer 4 book, p. 34:
- According to the FAQ, a site's coolness can be attributed to a trace element called coolium.
- 2009, Selena Kitt, Quickies, p. 91:
Derived terms
See also
Latin
Suffix
-ium n, genitive -ii
- Suffix used to form nouns, sometimes having the sense of bigger or more complicated. (May no longer be productive.)
- (New Latin) Suffix appended to form names of chemical elements.
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