| 释义 |
-ule, suffix
representing the Latin diminutive ending -ulus, -ula, -ulum (whence also F. -ule, Sp. and Pg. -ulo, -ula, It. -ulo, -ula, -olo, -ola), as in globulus globule, glandula glandule, grānulum granule. Among words now current with this ending a certain number correspond to actual Latin forms, as capsule, cellule, ferule, macule, nodule, pustule, spherule, valvule; others are of modern formation, as anguillule. Only a few of these were in use before the 17th century. Some examples, as angule, circule, scrupule, failed to establish themselves against the earlier forms of French origin in -le; others, as formule, have given way to the purely Latin form. In some cases both forms exist in scientific use, as ligule and ligula, macule and macula, valvule and valvula; in some the Latin form is commonly or exclusively employed, as lingula, tabula. |