a suffix appearing in abstract nouns (generally formed from Latin adjectives or participles) of Latin origin (latitude; altitude); on this model, used in the formation of new nouns: platitude.
syllable formed when the word-forming element -ude, forming abstract nouns from adjectives and participles, is fixed to a base or to another suffix ending in -t or -te; from French -ude, from Latin -udo (genitive -udinis). As a word in its own right, teenager slang shortening of attitude, it dates from 1970s.
