-ium

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See also: Ium

English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From Latin -um (neuter singular morphological suffix), based on Latin terms for metals such as ferrum (iron).

Suffix[edit]

-ium

  1. (chemistry) Used to form the names of metal elements, after the style of early-named elements, as well as the isotopes of hydrogen.
  2. (chemistry) Used to form the temporary systematic element name of a metallic or nonmetallic element which is postulated to exist, or which has been newly synthesized and has not yet been assigned a permanent name.
  3. (chemistry) Used to form the name of polyatomic cations.
  4. (by extension, humorous) Appended to common words to create scientific-sounding or humorous-sounding fictional substance names.
    • 1997, Bryan Pfaffenberger, Official Microsoft Internet Explorer 4 book, page 34:
      According to the FAQ, a site's coolness can be attributed to a trace element called coolium.
    • 2007, Jason Lethcoe, Wishing Well, appendix, page ii:
      Stupidium: Exposure to this Element can cause very silly behavior.
    • 2009, Selena Kitt, Quickies, page 91:
      We're at the North Pole, aren't we? Let's just call the new element Santa Clausium!
  5. Used to form the name of an aggregation or mass of something, such as biological tissue: for example, epithelium, pollinium. Words so formed often form their plural with -ia.
  6. Used to indicate the setting where a given activity is carried out: for example, auditorium, colloquium, gymnasium, natatorium, planetarium, podium, sanatorium, stadium. Words so formed often take -ia for the plural.
  7. (pharmacology) Used to form names of quaternary ammonium compounds used as neuromuscular blocking agents, cholinergic agents, anticholinergic agents, antibacterials/antiseptics, or other agents.
    Alternative form: -onium

Derived terms[edit]

See also[edit]

Anagrams[edit]

Dutch[edit]

Suffix[edit]

-ium

  1. -ium

Latin[edit]

Etymology 1[edit]

From -ius (suffix forming adjectives): as a nominal suffix (Suffix 1), a substantivisation of its neuter forms; as an adjectival suffix (Suffix 2), regularly declined forms. Compare Ancient Greek -ιον (-ion), Proto-Slavic *-ьje.

Pronunciation[edit]

Suffix[edit]

-ium n (genitive -iī or ); second declension

  1. Suffix used to form abstract nouns, sometimes denoting offices and groups. May no longer be productive.
    auspex + ‎-ium → ‎auspicium
    dēsīderō + ‎-ium → ‎dēsīderium
    castellum (castle) + ‎-ium → ‎castilium (fortified city)
  2. (New Latin) Suffix appended to form names of chemical elements.
Declension[edit]

Second-declension noun (neuter).

Case Singular Plural
Nominative -ium -ia
Genitive -iī
1
-iōrum
Dative -iō -iīs
Accusative -ium -ia
Ablative -iō -iīs
Vocative -ium -ia

1Found in older Latin (until the Augustan Age).

Derived terms[edit]
Descendants[edit]
  • Norwegian Bokmål: -ium

Etymology 2[edit]

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

Suffix[edit]

-ium

  1. inflection of -ius:
    1. nominative/accusative/vocative neuter singular
    2. accusative masculine singular

Etymology 3[edit]

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

Suffix[edit]

-ium

  1. genitive plural of -s

References[edit]

Norwegian Bokmål[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From Latin -ium (forms names of chemical elements), from -ius (forms adjectives), from Old Latin -iōs, from Proto-Italic *-jos (forms comparative adverbs), from Proto-Indo-European *-yōs ~ *-is- (forms adjectives).

Pronunciation[edit]

  • IPA(key): /ɪ.ʉm/
  • (file)
  • Rhymes: -ʉm
  • Hyphenation: -i‧um

Suffix[edit]

-ium

  1. Used to form nouns (loanwords) of Greek or Latin origin; -ium
    akvarium, evangelium, kriterium, kollegium, laboratorium, medium, privilegium, sanatorium, studiumaquarium, gospel, criterion, college, laboratory, medium, privilege, sanatorium, study
  2. (chemistry) Used to form nouns denoting chemical compounds, especially elements; -ium
    barium, aluminium, beryllium, ammoniumbarium, aluminium, beryllium, ammonium
  3. (botany) Used to form nouns denoting plant designations; -ium
    geraniumgeranium
  4. (geology) Used to form nouns denoting geological designations; -ium
    alluvium, kambrium, ordoviciumalluvium, cambrium, ordovicium

References[edit]