Advertisement
suc-
the usual form of sub- before -c-, an assimiliation from Latin.
Entries linking to suc-
sub- word-forming element meaning "under, beneath; behind; from under; resulting from further division," from Latin preposition sub "under, below, beneath, at the foot of," also "close to, up to, towards;" of time, "within, during;" figuratively "subject to, in the power of;" also "a little, somewhat" (as in sub-horridus "somewhat rough"), from PIE *(s)up- (perhaps representing *ex-upo-), a variant form of the root *upo "under," also "up from under." The Latin word also was used as a prefix and in various combinations.
In Latin assimilated to following -c-, -f-, -g-, -p-, and often -r- and -m-. In Old French the prefix appears in the full Latin form only "in learned adoptions of old Latin compounds" [OED], and in popular use it was represented by sous-, sou-; as in French souvenir from Latin subvenire, souscrire (Old French souzescrire) from subscribere, etc.
The original meaning is now obscured in many words from Latin (suggest, suspect, subject, etc.). The prefix is active in Modern English, sometimes meaning "subordinate" (as in subcontractor); "inferior" (17c., as in subhuman); "smaller" (18c.); "a part or division of" (c. 1800, as in subcontinent).
In Latin assimilated to following -c-, -f-, -g-, -p-, and often -r- and -m-. In Old French the prefix appears in the full Latin form only "in learned adoptions of old Latin compounds" [OED], and in popular use it was represented by sous-, sou-; as in French souvenir from Latin subvenire, souscrire (Old French souzescrire) from subscribere, etc.
The original meaning is now obscured in many words from Latin (suggest, suspect, subject, etc.). The prefix is active in Modern English, sometimes meaning "subordinate" (as in subcontractor); "inferior" (17c., as in subhuman); "smaller" (18c.); "a part or division of" (c. 1800, as in subcontinent).
Share suc-
‘cite’
Page URL:
https://www.etymonline.com/word/suc-
HTML Link:
<a href="https://www.etymonline.com/word/suc-">Etymology of suc- by etymonline</a>
APA style:
Harper, D. (n.d.). Etymology of suc-. Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved $(datetime), from https://www.etymonline.com/word/suc-
Chicago style:
Harper Douglas, “Etymology of suc-,” Online Etymology Dictionary, accessed $(datetime), https://www.etymonline.com/word/suc-.
MLA style:
Harper, Douglas. “Etymology of suc-.” Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/word/suc-. Accessed $(datetimeMla).
IEEE style:
D. Harper. “Etymology of suc-.” Online Etymology Dictionary. https://www.etymonline.com/word/suc- (accessed $(datetime)).
updated on December 21, 2013
Advertisement
Advertisement
Dictionary entries near suc-
subvention
subversion
subversive
subvert
subway
suc-
succedaneum
succeed
success
successful
succession
