-t

From Middle English -te, -t, from Old English -de, -d, from Proto-Germanic *-id- and Proto-Germanic *-idaz ("past participle ending of class 1 weak verbs").

Full definition of -t

Suffix

1. Forms the past tense and/or past participle of some verbs (leapt, kept, dreamt, etc)

Usage notes

Some verbs have both an -ed and a -t form. The -t form has become obsolete for many verbs, e.g. toucht.

Derived terms

• bought (< buy)
• cought (< catch)
• fought (< fight)
• sought (< seek)
• wrought (< work)

Related terms

• -ed

Probably resulting from -s + the, or various other words beginning with th-, t-.

Suffix

1. An excrescent ending appended to words suffixed with -s.against, amidst, amongst, betwixt, whilst

Usage notes

As with -st, when there is a shorter synonymous word (as in between/betwixt), the form with -t is generally considered more formal, old-fashioned, affected, and British.

Derived terms

• -st