-ful

  1. Suffix.  Used to form adjectives from nouns. An adjective derived by this suffix implies a thorough and certain possession of the quality of that noun, not a metaphorical fullness with it by degree or quantity. What is beautiful may be full of beauties, but is first fully beautiful; one who is wakeful is fully awake, not frequently waking; what is changeful is uncertain, not transformed; what is harmful may do a single and a mild injury.
  2. Suffix.  Used to form nouns from nouns meaning “as much as can be held by what is denoted by the noun”.

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This entry was last updated on RefTopia from its source on 3/20/2012.