The suffix “-city” denotes a state or quality. It transforms nouns and adjectives, often indicating an urban environment or a characteristic associated with one. Examples include “electricity” (the quality of being electric) and “velocity” (speed in a given direction). These terms, derived from their root words, gain new, specific meanings through this suffix.
Understanding the “-city” suffix unlocks deeper comprehension of a word’s meaning and its relationship to other vocabulary. Its Latin origins, stemming from “cvits” (citizenship or state), historically linked terms to urban centers and collective bodies. This suffix continues to play a vital role in scientific, technical, and everyday language, allowing for precise communication of complex concepts and nuanced descriptions.
