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definitions

-ine

1

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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Nearby words

  1. -ility,
  2. -im,
  3. -in,
  4. -ina,
  5. -inae,
  6. -ing,
  7. -ion,
  8. -ior,
  9. -ious,
  10. -isation
Compare -in1.

Origin of -ine

1
< Latin -īnus, -inus < Greek -inos

Definition for -ine (2 of 2)

-ine

2

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

2
< French < Latin -ina, orig. feminine of -inus; also representing Greek -inē, feminine noun suffix
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for -ine (1 of 2)

-ine

1

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 (2 of 2)

-ine

2

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

Medicine definitions for -ine

-ine

suff.

or -in A chemical substance:bromine, amine, quinine.
Amino acid:glycine.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.