-ium
Americansuffix
-
indicating a metallic element
platinum
barium
-
(in chemistry) indicating groups forming positive ions
ammonium chloride
hydroxonium ion
-
indicating a biological structure
syncytium
Etymology
Origin of -ium
< New Latin, Latin, neuter suffix
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
These regularly end in -is in the Nominative Singular, and always have -ium in the Genitive Plural.
From New Latin Grammar by Bennett, Charles E. (Charles Edwin)
In poetry, adjectives and participles in -ns sometimes form the Gen. Plu. in -um instead of -ium; as, venientum, of those coming.
From New Latin Grammar by Bennett, Charles E. (Charles Edwin)
Many Consonant-Stems have so far adapted themselves to the inflection of ĭ-stems as to take -ium in the Genitive Plural, and -īs in the Accusative Plural.
From New Latin Grammar by Bennett, Charles E. (Charles Edwin)
Calcar -ium; pl. ia: a movable spur or spine-like process: specifically the spines at the apex of a tibia.
From Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology by Smith, John. B.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
