Jump to content

-ellus

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

Latin

[edit]

Etymology

[edit]

    By rebracketing of diminutives such as libellus (liber +‎ -lus) or fēmella (fēmina +‎ -la), where the stem consonants -n- and -r- shifted to -l- by regressive assimilation; or diminutives of diminutives such as porcellus (porculus +‎ -lus).

    Pronunciation

    [edit]

    Suffix

    [edit]

    -ellus (feminine -ella, neuter -ellum); first/second-declension suffix

    1. Alternative form of -ulus
      ager + ‎-ellus → ‎agrellus (little field) (compare this to agellus, which is from ager +‎ -lus)

    Usage notes

    [edit]

    The suffix -ellus is added to a noun to form a diminutive of that noun.

    calamus (reed) + ‎-ellus → ‎calamellus (little reed or pen)

    When added to an adjective, it forms a diminutive of that adjective.

    hirtus (hairy) + ‎-ellus → ‎hirtellus (slightly hairy)

    Declension

    [edit]

    First/second-declension adjective.

    singular plural
    masculine feminine neuter masculine feminine neuter
    nominative -ellus -ella -ellum -ellī -ellae -ella
    genitive -ellī -ellae -ellī -ellōrum -ellārum -ellōrum
    dative -ellō -ellae -ellō -ellīs
    accusative -ellum -ellam -ellum -ellōs -ellās -ella
    ablative -ellō -ellā -ellō -ellīs
    vocative -elle -ella -ellum -ellī -ellae -ella

    Derived terms

    [edit]

    Descendants

    [edit]