-estere

Middle English Alternative forms enm -ester -estre -ister -istre -star -stare -ster -stere -uster -ysstere Etymology enm :inh ang:-estre enm ang -estre, from enm gmw-pro *-astrijā. The change from -estre to -estere is probably due to analogy with enm -ere and apocopated forms of this suffix (i.e. -ester). Pronunciation enm /-(ə)stər(ə)/ /-(ə)strə/ Suffix enm suffix noun-forming suffixes Forms often feminine agent nouns from other nouns or verbs; en -ster, en -ress. Usage notes Some nouns formed with this suffix exclusively refer to women throughout the Middle English period, while others come to refer to men as well; a few Middle English formations (e.g. enm demestere) are only found referring to men. Derived terms enm Descendants en -ster en -stress 1 sco -ster References --estre, -(e)ster suf MED14560