| 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. |
| 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). |
| -ate 1 suff.
[Ultimately from Latin -ātus, past participle suff. of verbs in -āre.] |
| -ate 2 suff.
[New Latin -ātum, from Latin, neuter of -ātus, past participle suff. of verbs in -āre.] |
-ate suff.
A derivative of a specified chemical compound or element: aluminate.
A salt or ester of a specified acid whose name ends in -ic: acetate.
