-ata

¹

1. a plural suffix occurring in loanwords from Latin, forming nouns used especially in names of zoological groups:

   Vertebrata.

-ata

²

1. a plural suffix occurring in loanwords from Greek:

   stomata.

A.T.A.

³

abbreviation for

1. Associate Technical Aide.

Word History and Origins

Origin of -ata¹

< Latin, neuter plural of -ātus -ate ¹, originally adj. in Latin, then substantivized in NL.

Origin of -ata²

< Greek t- stems, -mata result of, state of, act of; -ment