-ellus

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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.

Number Singular Plural
Case / Gender Masculine Feminine Neuter Masculine Feminine Neuter
Nominative -ellus -ella -ellum -ellī -ellae -ella
Genitive -ellī -ellae -ellī -ellōrum -ellārum -ellōrum
Dative -ellō -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]