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-on

Origin

a suffix used in the names of subatomic particles (gluon; meson; neutron), quanta (graviton), and other minimal entities or components (cistron; codon; magneton; photon).

Origin:
probably extracted from ion; compare proton

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-on is always a great word to know.

So is lollapalooza. Does it mean:

an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.

a gadget; dingus; thingumbob.

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Dictionary.com Unabridged

a suffix used in the naming of inert gaseous elements: neon.

Origin:
≪ Greek -on, neuter of -os adj. ending

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Link To -on

Collins

World English Dictionary

-on

—*suffix forming nouns*
1.	indicating a chemical substance: interferon; parathion
2.	(in physics) indicating an elementary particle or quantum: electron; photon
3.	(in chemistry) indicating an inert gas: neon; radon
4.	(in biochemistry) a molecular unit: codon; operon

[from ion]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

-on

subatomic particle suffix, from ion.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage

Medical Dictionary

-on ¹
suff.