-ory

¹ American  

1. an adjective-forming suffix, joined to bases of Latin origin in imitation of borrowed Latin words containing the suffix -tory1 (and its alternant-sory ): excretory; sensory; statutory .

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-ory ² American  

1. a suffix forming nouns denoting places or receptacles, joined to bases of Latin origin in imitation of borrowed Latin words containing the suffix -tory2 (or its alternant-sory ): crematory .

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-ory ¹ British  

suffix

1. indicating a place for

   observatory

2. something having a specified use

   directory

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-ory ² British  

suffix

1. of or relating to; characterized by; having the effect of

   contributory

   promissory

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Etymology

Origin of -ory¹

Middle English -orie < Anglo-French; Old French -oire < Latin -ōrius, extracted from -tōrius -tory ¹; -or ²

Origin of -ory²

Middle English -orie < Anglo-French; Old French -oire < Latin -ōrium, extracted from -tōrium -tory ²; -ory ¹, -or ²

Example Sentences

In this showstopper from Rossini’s elegant comic opera “Le Comte Ory,” Oropesa’s classy singing sneaks subtle flecks of color into fiendish runs taken at the speed of light.

From New York Times

The company, run by former Trump White House Digital Officer Ory Rinat, reportedly pays popular conservative influencers “fees in exchange for driving engagement — such as email signups, donations, and purchases — for the firm’s clients,” Axios reported last year.

From The Verge

Mr. Janis taught himself to play the trombone, learning Ory’s style, and by 1949 was a professional musician as well as an actor.

From Washington Post

He was particularly drawn to the traditional jazz, or Dixieland, of trombonist Kid Ory, who had performed with Louis Armstrong in New Orleans before 1920.

From Washington Post

Black L.A.’s music was supercharged by the arrivals of Jelly Roll Morton and Kid Ory, two celebrated New Orleans jazz musicians, and in 1921, Ory and the Sunshine Orchestra became the first Black Americans to record instrumental jazz, on the new Sunshine label.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• golden
• silvery