-âtre

See also: atre and âtre

French

Etymology

Inherited from Old French -astre, from Latin -astrum. Cognate to Italian -astro.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /atʁ/ ~ /ɑtʁ/

• Audio:

  (file)

Suffix

-âtre (plural -âtres)

1. (especially colours) -ish

   ‎bleue (“blue”) + ‎-âtre → ‎bleuâtre (“blueish”)

2. forms pejoratives

   ‎opinion (“opinion”) + ‎-âtre → ‎opiniâtre (“obstinate”)

   ‎gentilhomme (“gentleman”) + ‎-âtre → ‎gentillâtre (“lordling”)

Usage notes

• Both a nominal and an adjectival suffix.

Derived terms

French terms suffixed with -âtre