English

Interfix

-n-

1. Frequently used with certain suffixes, such as -ian and -ese, when the base word ends in a vowel that is not readily elided.

   Panamanian, Torontonian

   Shanghainese, Balinese

Derived terms

Related terms

• -n

Dutch

Interfix

-n-

1. Interfix used to link elements in some compounds, sometimes short for -en-.

Derived terms

German

Alternative forms

• -en-

Interfix

-n-

1. Genitival interfix indicating that the former part is a characteristic of the latter.

Derived terms

Latin

Infix

-n-

1. Infix used to denote an action (not lasting); becomes -m- in front of b, m, p

   accubō ‎(“I lie”) + -n- → accumbō ‎(“I recline, lie down”)

2. Infix used to denote a lasting action; becomes -m- in front of b, m, p

   iugō ‎(“I tie”) + -n- → iungō ‎(“I tie for a long time”)

   coniugō ‎(“I tie firmly”) + -n- → coniungō ‎(“I tie firmly for a long time”)

Navajo

Infix

-n-

1. a consonant that often appears as a ligature between the elements of a compound word. It usually comes between a final nasal vowel (ą, ę, į, ǫ) and a suffix that begins with a vowel. The nasal vowel(s) lose the nasal mark when followed by -n.

   łeesʼáán = łeezh + siʼą́ + -n- + -í

Portuguese

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /n/

Interfix

-n-

1. used to connect a word ending in a nasal vowel or diphthong to a suffix

   canção ‎(“song”) + -n- + -eiro → cancioneiro ‎(“songbook”)

   capim ‎(“weed”) + -n- + -ar → capinar ‎(“to remove weeds”)