a suffix occurring in loanwords from Latin, originally adjectival derivatives of agent nouns ending in -tor (predatory); also forming adjectival derivatives directly from verbs (obligatory; transitory).
Origin of -tory
1
< Latin-tōrius, equivalent to -tōr--tor + -ius adj. suffix
-tory
2
a suffix occurring in loanwords from Latin, usually derivatives from agent nouns ending in -tor or directly from verbs, denoting a place or object appropriate for the activity of the verb: dormitory; repository.
Origin of -tory
2
< Latin-tōrium, noun use of neuter of -tōrius-tory1
