-ish Hear it!

-ish definition

-ish (is̸h)

  1. Etymology: ME < OE -isc, akin to Ger -isch, L -iscus, Gr -iskos

    1. of or belonging to (a specified nation or people) Spanish, Irish
    2. like or characteristic of devilish, boyish
    3. tending to be or verging on being (a specified person or thing) knavish
    4. somewhat, rather tallish, bluish
    5. Informal approximately, about thirtyish

  2. Etymology: ME -ishen, -ischen, -issen < OFr -iss-, -is-, stem element in pres. tense < L -isc-, in inceptive verbs

    : it was generalized from certain verbs of French origin finish, cherish, punish

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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