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-ate

 - 6 dictionary results

-ate

1
a suffix occurring in loanwords from Latin, its English distribution paralleling that of Latin. The form originated as a suffix added to a-stem verbs to form adjectives (separate). The resulting form could also be used independently as a noun (advocate) and came to be used as a stem on which a verb could be formed (separate; advocate; agitate). In English the use as a verbal suffix has been extended to stems of non-Latin origin: calibrate; acierate.

Origin:
< L -ātus (masc.), -āta (fem.), -ātum (neut.), equiv. to -ā- thematic vowel + -tus, -ta, -tum ptp. suffix

-ate

2
a specialization of -ate 1 , used to indicate a salt of an acid ending in -ic, added to a form of the stem of the element or group: nitrate; sulfate.
Compare -ite 1 .


Origin:
prob. orig. in NL phrases, as plumbum acetātum salt produced by the action of acetic acid on lead

-ate

3
a suffix occurring orig. in nouns borrowed from Latin, and in English coinages from Latin bases, that denote offices or functions (consulate; triumvirate; pontificate), as well as institutions or collective bodies (electorate; senate); sometimes extended to denote a person who exercises such a function (magistrate; potentate), an associated place (consulate), or a period of office or rule (protectorate). Joined to stems of any origin, ate3 signifies the office, term of office, or territory of a ruler or official (caliphate; khanate; shogunate).

Origin:
< L -ātus (gen. -ātūs), generalized from v. ders., as augurātus office of an augur (augurā(re) to foretell by augury + -tus suffix of v. action), construed as der. of augur augur
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To -ate
-ate 1  
suff.  
    1. Having: nervate.

    2. Characterized by: Latinate.

    3. Resembling: lyrate.

    4. One that is characterized by: laminate.

    5. Rank; office: rabbinate.

    1. One that is characterized by: laminate.

    2. Rank; office: rabbinate.

  1. To act upon in a specified manner: acidulate.


[Ultimately from Latin -ātus, past participle suff. of verbs in -āre.]
-ate 2  
suff.  
  1. A derivative of a specified chemical compound or element: aluminate.

  2. A salt or ester of a specified acid whose name ends in -ic: acetate.


[New Latin -ātum, from Latin, neuter of -ātus, past participle suff. of verbs in -āre.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Medical Dictionary

-ate suff.

  1. A derivative of a specified chemical compound or element: aluminate.

  2. A salt or ester of a specified acid whose name ends in -ic: acetate.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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