| 释义 |
-fication, suffix|fɪˈkeɪʃən|
repr. L. -ficātiōn-em, the regular formative of nouns of action (see -ation) from vbs. in -ficāre: see -fy. Many words of this formation (chiefly post-classical) were adopted in Fr. with their related vbs., the ns. in learned form with the suffix -fication, and the vbs. in semi-popular form with the suffix -fier; on the analogy of these many new formations with these suffixes arose in Fr. From the 14th c. F. vbs. in -fier with their corresponding agent-nouns in -fication have been freely introduced into Eng., as purify, purification, sanctify, sanctification; and hence the suffix -fication has become the recognized means of forming nouns of action corresponding to vbs. in -fy, except such as represent L. vbs. in -facĕre (see -faction). In general, however, such nouns of action are (unless as mere nonce-wds.) formed only on assumable mod.L. types; but beautification has been in use since 17th c., and words like Frenchification, transmogrification, uglification may occasionally be met with. In scientific language the suffix forms many ns. (some of which have no corresponding vb.); examples are acetification, acidification, chylification, dentification, ossification, etc.
1799Southey Lett. (1856) I. 85 Excuse the damned city-country-fication of that word [cottage]. |