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ON THE ITALIAN SUFFIXES . 111
LESSON XXII.
ON THE ALTERATION IN THE MEANING OF WORDS BY MEANS
OF SUFFIXES .
435. The Italians give the names of " Accrescitivi,"
(augmentatives), " Diminutivi," ( diminutives), and " Peggiorativi,"
(depreciatives), to certain suffixes, which, like the English ish,
alter or modify the meaning of nouns, adjectives, and even
adverbs. The Italian language is very rich in suffixes, which
modify in a variety of ways the idea expressed by the primitive
term, and are of great use in adding expression to words. Only the
principal suffixes will be given here .
" ACCRESCITIVI."
436. The principal Italian " accrescitivi " are "one,""ona," " otto "
and " otta."
437. The suffixes " one" and " ona" denote bigness, as well as
stoutness . Ex.
Un libro, a book, un librone , a big book.
Un Uomo, a man, un omone , 1 a tall, stout man.
Un cane , a dog, un cagnone , 2 a large dog.
438. On this point it is to be observed that when a feminine noun
takes the suffix one it becomes masculine . Ex.
Una strada, a street , uno stradone, a large road.
Una donna, a woman, un donnone , a big, stout woman.
439. But adjectives take both the forms of the suffix, otherwise
they might be ambiguous. Ex.
Una vecchia , an old woman, una vecchiona , a big, old woman.
440. The suffixes " otto," " otta," indicate somewhat of an increase
in the ordinary size , as well as vigour. Ex.
Un ragazzo, a boy, un ragazzotto, a fine strong lad.
441. The Italian " diminutivi " are divided into two classes : the "
diminutivi -vezzeggiativi," ( endearing), and the " diminutivi -
dispregiativi " (depreciating ).
" DIMINUTIVI-VEZZEGGIATIVI."
442. The principal "diminutivi -vezzeggiativi" are " ino," "ina,"
"olino," " olina," " etto," " etta," " ello," " ella," " erello," " erella," "
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