-ine

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a suffix of adjectives of Greek or Latin origin, meaning “of or pertaining to,” “of the nature of,” “made of,” “like”: asinine; crystalline; equine; marine.

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Question 1 of 7

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Compare -in¹.

Origin of -ine

<Latin -īnus, -inus<Greek -inos

Other definitions for -ine (2 of 2)

-ine²

a suffix, of no assignable meaning, appearing in nouns of Greek, Latin, or French origin: doctrine; famine; routine.

a noun suffix used particularly in chemical terms (bromine; chlorine), and especially in names of basic substances (amine; aniline; caffeine; quinine; quinoline).Compare -in².

a suffix of feminine nouns (heroine), given names (Clementine), and titles (landgravine).

Compare -ina¹.

Origin of -ine

<French <Latin -ina, originally feminine of -inus; also representing Greek -inē, feminine noun suffix

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use -ine in a sentence

There are distinct indications that a similar outfit was fairly common in Ine's time, and that its value was much the same.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3|Various
So wisliche wite ou in our blod letunge : and holde ou ine swuche reste .
Selections from early Middle English, 1130-1250|Various
Lauerd 65 78 he cwe a. Nu ic e bidde for ine kinedome for ine engles.
Selections from early Middle English, 1130-1250|Various
Iuliane e eadie onswerede him seide as eo at ine godd hire hope hefde.
Selections from early Middle English, 1130-1250|Various

Maximian e modi keiser ine Rome heinde ant heriende heene mawmez.
Selections from early Middle English, 1130-1250|Various

British Dictionary definitions for -ine (1 of 3)

Ine

/ (ˈɪnə, ˈɪnɪ) /

noun

died after 726, king of Wessex (688–726)

British Dictionary definitions for -ine (2 of 3)

-ine¹

suffix forming adjectives

of, relating to, or belonging tosaturnine

consisting of or resemblingcrystalline

Word Origin for -ine

from Latin -īnus, from Greek -inos

British Dictionary definitions for -ine (3 of 3)

-ine²

suffix forming nouns

indicating a halogenchlorine

indicating a nitrogenous organic compound, including amino acids, alkaloids, and certain other basesalanine; nicotine; purine

Also: -in indicating a chemical substance in certain nonsystematic namesglycerine

indicating a mixture of hydrocarbonsbenzine

indicating a feminine formheroine

an obsolete equivalent of -yne

Word Origin for -ine

via French from Latin -ina (from -inus) and Greek -inē

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012