English

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Etymology

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From Anglo-Norman -cie, ultimately from Latin -cia, -tia, Ancient Greek -κια (-kia), -τια (-tia), originally variants of Latin -ia and Ancient Greek -ια (-ia), -ία (-ía) or -εια (-eia). Original loan words like pharmacy and papacy could have formed the model.

Pronunciation

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Suffix

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-cy

  1. (non-productive) Used to form nouns of state, condition or quality e.g. obstinacy.
  2. (non-productive) Used to form nouns of rank or office e.g. abbacy.

Usage notes

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In sense of a state, a condition, often replaces a terminal -t, as in pregnancy (from pregnant). Exceptions include normalcy (no terminal -t in normal) and bankruptcy (terminal -t in bankrupt retained).

Synonyms

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Derived terms

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Translations

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Anagrams

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