-sy

English Alternative forms nouns en -sie Etymology en :af<unc> -s<id:plural> -y<id:adjectival> :af<unc> -s<id:plural> -y<id:diminutive> 1 Perhaps originally two distinct suffixes, one diminutive and the other adjectival; sources of both are uncertain. If so, then equivalent to en -s en -y diminutive. Suffix Suffix forming nouns or adjectives, sometimes diminutive and usually informal or jocular. nouns en Betsy Betsy; en footsy footsy; en mumsy mumsy; en Patsy Patsy; en popsy popsy; en tootsy tootsy adjectives en artsy artsy (or en art + en -s + en -y);artsy art1 + -sy or art1 + -s3 + -y1 en cutesy cutesy; en limpsy limpsy; en mumsy mumsy; en pudsy pudsy; en teensy teensy (from en tiny) Usage notes Some state that the combination of en -s and en -y in certain words should perhaps be considered further instances of this suffix. en antsy antsy; en artsy artsy; en gutsy gutsy Derived terms en References Anagrams en sy ys y's Ys Y's