sy-


sy-

var. of syn- before s followed by a consonant and before z: systaltic; syzygy.

-sy

a suffix forming nouns or adjectives, usu. as a diminutive of the base word (bitsy; footsies; halvsies); adjectives formed with -sy may be ironic, implying that the quality in question is self-consciously assumed or feigned (artsy; cutesy; folksy). [of uncertain orig.]