Suffix, properly added only to words formed from G. Roots, meaning a process, condition, or state, usually abnormal or diseased. It denotes primarily any production or increase, physiologic or pathologic, and secondarily an invasion, and increase within the organism, of parasites; in the latter sense, it is similar to and often interchangeable with G. -iasis, as seen in trichinosis, trichiniasis.
Origin: G.
(05 Mar 2000)