English

Interfix

-i-

1. (in coining neologisms) A vowel inserted interconsonantally between morphemes of Latinate origin in order to ease pronunciation (an anaptyxis, a linking vowel).

Derived terms

See also

• -k-
• -o- (the Greek parallel)

References

• The Concise Oxford English Dictionary [Eleventh Edition] lists -i- as an entry.

Etymology 2

The initial vowel of primate

Interfix

-i-

1. (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.)

References

• USP Dictionary of USAN and International Drug Names, U.S. Pharmacopeia, 2000

Etymology 3

From -y.

Suffix

-i-

1. Alternative form of -y ‎(“having the quality of”)

Usage notes

Spelling change, used when followed by another suffix such as -ness, as in mess → messy → messiness, or -ly as in messily.

Latin

Etymology

From the reduction of several historical unstressed short stem vowels during the Old Latin period. The reduced vowel was later reinterpreted as part of various suffixes.

Interfix

-i-

1. Connecting vowel inserted between a stem and a suffix in compound words.

Derived terms

• -ifer
• -ifex
• -ificō
• -ificus