-fer·ous \_f(ə)rəs\adjective combining form Etymology: Middle English, from Latin -fer & Middle French -fere (from Latin -fer) + English -ous — more at -fer : bearing : producing : yielding < auriferous > < ovuliferous > — almost always preceded by i • -fer·ous·lyadverb combining form • -fer·ous·nessnoun combining form-es