-oon

1. a suffix occurring in words borrowed from French and other Romance languages ( bassoon; balloon; dragoon; pontoon ), and on this model occasionally used in the formation of new nouns in English ( spittoon ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of -oon¹

As an English formative (e.g., in spittoon ), extracted from words of various origins ( buffoon, lagoon, etc.) but representing chiefly French -on in words stressed on the final syllable; compare Spanish -on, Italian -one, Latin -ōn-

Example Sentences

Ever in oon, continually, constantly, always in the same way; cf. Cant.

From Project Gutenberg

Item ij cloths of astate the oon richer then the other of cloth of gold.

From Project Gutenberg

But the termination oon or n is suspicious in both cases, for it is not a genuine Irish suffix at all.

From Project Gutenberg

S oon after, the squadron was reformed and the men entrenched themselves under fire.

From Project Gutenberg

Up roos tho oon of thise olde wise, and with his hand made contenaunce that men sholde holden hem stille, and yeven hym audience.

From Project Gutenberg