-i-
Origin 1
From Latin.
Interfix
interfix
- in coining neologisms A vowel inserted interconsonantally between morphemes of Latinate origin in order to ease pronunciation (an anaptyxis, a linking vowel).
Derived terms
Origin 2
The initial vowel of primate
Affix
-i-- (pharmacology) a monoclonal antibody derived from a non-human primate source
Related terms
- -mab is the base suffix common to all monoclonal antibodies. (See that entry for full paradigm.)
Origin 3
From -y.
Usage notes
Spelling change, used when followed by another suffix such as -ness, as in mess → messy → messiness, or -ly as in messily.