-ety

-ety · suffix¹

In some uses, apparently an alteration of -edy, as seen in jaggedy, raggedy, scaredy, etc.; equivalent to -ed + -y. The alteration of -d- to -t- is perhaps due to Scottish influence, where it is common for the past participle of Scots verbs to end in -et/-it rather than -ed as in English. In other usage, perhaps imitative of repeated action, equivalent to -et + -y. In any case, it is used almost exclusively in sound-symbolic or expressive words.

-ety · suffix²

1. Latin · derived from-(i)tās
2. English today-ety

Cognate of -ity, ultimately from Latin -(i)tās. See more at -ity.