What suffix does kitten have? - briefly
The word "kitten" has the suffix "-en". This suffix is commonly used to denote a young animal, particularly in the case of felines.
What suffix does kitten have? - in detail
The word "kitten" is a diminutive form of the word "cat." Diminutives are linguistic forms that convey smallness, endearment, or youthfulness. In English, diminutives are often created by adding specific suffixes to the base word. The suffix in "kitten" is "-en." This suffix is derived from Old English and has been used historically to form diminutives.
The suffix "-en" is not as commonly used in modern English as it once was, but it is still recognizable in a few words. It is important to note that the suffix "-en" in "kitten" is not the same as the suffix "-en" found in past participle forms of verbs, such as "broken" or "written." The diminutive suffix "-en" is specifically used to indicate smallness or youthfulness.
Historically, English has utilized various suffixes to create diminutives. Some of the more common diminutive suffixes in modern English include "-y," "-ie," "-let," and "-ling." For example, "puppy" (from "dog"), "bunny" (from "rabbit"), "booklet" (from "book"), and "goblin" (from "gob"). These suffixes serve the same purpose as "-en" in "kitten," but they have become more prevalent in contemporary usage.
In summary, the suffix in the word "kitten" is "-en," a diminutive suffix from Old English. While this suffix is less common in modern English, it is still evident in a few words and serves to indicate smallness or youthfulness.