Module 2 - Noun Suffixes

-a | Meaning: condition, quality

Example: anesthesia – condition of being without sensation; the absence of all sensation

-ia | Meaning: condition, quality, entity

Example: pneumonia – condition involving the lungs; acute inflammation of the lungs

-ion | Meaning: act of, process, state of

Example: hypertension – state of higher than normal blood pressure

-is | Meaning: condition, process, entity

Example: diagnosis – the determination of the nature of a disease or injury

-ism | Meaning: condition or theory

Example: embolism – condition of obstruction of a blood vessel

-ist | Meaning: one who specializes in, a practitioner

Example: pharmacist – one who specializes in drugs

-itis | Meaning: inflammation

Example: appendicitis – inflammation of the appendix

-oma | Meaning: tumor

Example: carcinoma – cancerous tumor; malignant neoplasm

-opsy | Meaning: process of viewing

Example: biopsy – process of removing tissue for diagnostic examination

-osis | Meaning: abnormal condition

Example: psychosis – abnormal condition of the mind

-us | Meaning: condition, quality

Example: mucus – viscid fluid secreted by mucous membranes

-y | Meaning: quality, state of