-ium

English

Etymology

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

Suffix

-ium

1. Used to form the names of metal elements, after the style of early-named elements, as well as the isotopes of hydrogen.
2. 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.

3. Used to indicate the setting where a given activity is carried out: gymnasium, auditorium, stadium, colloquium, planetarium, podium, sanatorium. Words so formed often take "-a" for the plural.

Derived terms

• helium
• deuterium
• uranium
• actinium
• tellurium
• terbium
• ytterbium
• francium

See also

• -ion

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Latin

Suffix

-ium n, genitive -ii

1. Suffix used to form abstract nouns, sometimes denoting offices and groups. (May no longer be productive.)

   auspex - auspicium

   desidero - desiderium

   castellum (castle) - castilium (fortified city)

2. (New Latin) Suffix appended to form names of chemical elements.