-ian

• -an, -n

From Latin -iānus, which forms adjectives of belonging or origin from a noun.

• IPA^(key): /iːən/

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-ian

1. (as an adjective) From, related to, or like.
2. (as a noun) One from, belonging to, relating to, or like.
3. (as a noun) Having a certain profession.

• When males with a profession are distinguished from females, males are -ian, females -ienne.
• The plural is -ians (one magician, two magicians).
• When added to a word ending in a vowel, the infix -v- is inserted (Peruvian, Whovian), though this can be optional (Rousseauvian).

• -ienne

• ANI, Ain, Ani, INA, Ina, NIA, Nia, ain', ani, nai, nia

-ian

1. Alternative form of -ien (“-ian”)

By syncope from earlier *-ōjan, a northern Ingvaeonic innovated form of Proto-West Germanic *-ōn, from Proto-Germanic *-ōną.

• IPA^(key): /i.ɑn/

-ian

1. Forms verbs from nouns and adjectives.

• Middle English: -ien, -en (merged with all other verbs)
  • English: -en, -e (obsolete)
  • Scots: -e (obsolete)

From Proto-Germanic *-ijaną.

-ian

1. used to form the infinitive of class 1 weak verbs (as well as a few strong verbs also ending in -ian like biddian or liggian, and class 3 weak verbs)

   wekkian "to awake" (class 1 weak verbs)

   seggian "to say" (class 3 weak verbs)

-ian

1. (as a noun) Denotes a follower of something.

Words having this suffix can have an additional suffix -ism for an idea (e.g. kantianism) and an additional suffix -sk to form an adjective (e.g. kantiansk).

• -an

• IPA^(key): /jan/

-ian

1. Forms verbnouns.

• R. J. Thomas, G. A. Bevan, P. J. Donovan, A. Hawke et al., editors (1950–present), “-ian”, in Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru Online (in Welsh), University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh & Celtic Studies