-ium
Origin
From Latin -um ("neuter singular morphological suffix"), based on Latin terms for metals, such as ferrum.
Full definition of -ium
Suffix
- Used to form the names of metal elements, after the style of early-named elements, as well as the isotopes of hydrogen.
- By extension, appended to common words to create scientific-sounding or humorous-sounding fictional substance names.
- 2009, Selena Kitt, Quickies, p. 91:We're at the North Pole, aren't we? Let's just call the new element Santa Clausium!
- 2007, Jason Lethcoe, Wishing Well, appendix p. ii:Stupidium: Exposure to this Element can cause very silly behavior.
- 1997, Bryan Pfaffenberger, Official Microsoft Internet Explorer 4 book, p. 34:According to the FAQ, a site's coolness can be attributed to a trace element called coolium.
- Used to indicate the setting where a given activity is carried out: gymnasium, auditorium, stadium, colloquium, planetarium, podium, sanatorium. Words so formed often take "-a" for the plural.