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-tory1

  1. 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).
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Origin of -tory1

< Latin -tōrius, equivalent to -tōr- -tor + -ius adj. suffix

-tory2

  1. 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.
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Origin of -tory2

< Latin -tōrium, noun use of neuter of -tōrius -tory1
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018