-elle

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a noun suffix occurring in loanwords from French, where it originally formed diminutives, now often with a derivative sense in which the diminutive force is lost (bagatelle; prunelle; rondelle); also in Anglicized forms of Latin words ending in -ella (organelle).

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!

Were you ready for a quiz on this topic? Well, here it is! See how well you can differentiate between the uses of "was" vs. "were" in this quiz.

Question 1 of 7

“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.

true

false

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Origin of -elle

<French <Latin -ella, feminine of -ellus, forming diminutives corresponding to stems ending in -ul--ule, -r- (see castellum), -n- (see patella)

How to use -elle in a sentence

Elle magazine shot an editorial in September, one picture revealing a teacup pig sitting pretty by a mini Tyler Alexandra bag.
Handbags: The More You Pay, The Smaller They Shrink|Elizabeth Landers|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I did a piece for Elle about the effort to remake her into an elegant presence fashion-wise.
Daphne Merkin on Lena Dunham, Book Criticism, and Self-Examination|Mindy Farabee|December 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In attendance was supermodel Elle Macpherson and king of pop Michael Jackson, who also performed.
I Watched a Casino Kill Itself: The Awful Last Nights of Atlantic City’s Taj Mahal|Olivia Nuzzi|December 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards told her unapologetic story last month in Elle.
Women Share Their Secret Abortion Stories For 1 in 3 Campaign|Brandy Zadrozny|November 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Diane Lane is in it playing my wife, Elle Fanning plays my daughter, and Michael Stuhlbarg will play Edward G. Robinson.
Bryan Cranston on Walter White’s Future, Directing ‘Better Call Saul,’ and Hillary 2016|Marlow Stern|August 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Ils me conduysirent en la plus grande cabane de toutes; elle contenoit bien 80 ames.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
Or ne say-je quelle estoit sa maladie; si elle venoit seulement par intervalles, ou non, je n'en say rien: tant y a que le 2.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
Car cette Republique estant tablie, ce sera elle pourvoir ce qui regarde le spirituel.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
Ma chre M-elle Fanny,—Je vous prie beaucoup de me pardonner que je ne vous ai ecrit si longtemps.
The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky|Modeste Tchaikovsky
Elle petitioned for a chair by her, and the three brothers were together on the opposite side of the table.
Alone|Marion Harland