desinence

[ des-uh-nuhns ]

noun

1. a termination or ending, as the final line of a verse.
2. Grammar. a termination, ending, or suffix of a word.

desinence

/ ˈdɛsɪnəns; ˌdɛsɪˈnɛnʃəl /

noun

1. grammar an ending or termination, esp an inflectional ending of a word

Derived Forms

• ˈdesinent, adjective

Other Words From

• desi·nent des·i·nen·tial [des-, uh, -, nen, -sh, uh, l], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of desinence¹

1590–1600; < French < Medieval Latin dēsinentia, equivalent to Latin dēsinent- (stem of dēsinēns ), present participle of dēsinere to put down, leave ( dē- de- + sinere to leave) + -ia -ia; -ence

Word History and Origins

Origin of desinence¹

C16: from French désinence, from Latin dēsinēns ending, from dēsinere to leave off, from de- + sinere to leave, permit

Example Sentences

Conservation must, therefore, be the rule, and desinence the impossible exception.

From Project Gutenberg

Unquestionably the incomers from Brabant and Flanders, whether as troopers or artisans, gave a great impulse to the desinence.

From Project Gutenberg