a suffix used in the formation of nouns of various types, esp. female proper names, musical instruments, compositions, etc.: Wilhelmina; sonatina. Compare -in2, -ine2.
Origin: < L -īna, fem. of -īnus
-ina
2
a suffix used in taxonomic names in biology: Euglenoidina; Nemertina.
Origin: < NL, neut. pl. of L -īnus or Gk -inos;cf. -in1, -ine1