-man

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Suffix 1.2.1 Derived terms 1.2.2 Usage notes 1.3 See also 2 French 2.1 Etymology 2.2 Suffix 2.2.1 Usage notes 2.2.2 See also

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From the noun man

[edit] Suffix

-man

1. One who is an expert in an area; e.g. horseman, sportsman.
2. One who is employed or holds a position in an area; e.g lawman, newsman.
3. One who has special characteristics relating to an area, e.g. freeman, iceman, superman.
4. In certain cases, a person who derives from a particular nationality; e.g. Scotsman, Chinaman.

[edit] Derived terms

[edit] Usage notes

This suffix is frequently employed in the names of comic book characters, e.g. Aquaman, Batman, Plasticman, Sandman, Superman, etc.

[edit] See also

• -men

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[edit] French

[edit] Etymology

Borrowed from English

[edit] Suffix

-man

1. used to form names of male professions or sportspersons

[edit] Usage notes

• Most of these like businessman are borrowed directly from English, while some such as tennisman are not.

[edit] See also

• -woman