-α - Wiktionary, the free dictionary

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

From Proto-Hellenic *-ā́, from Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂. Cognate with Latin feminine -a, from Old Latin and Proto-Italic *-ā (both in names and adjectives).

-ᾱ • (-ā) f (genitive -ᾱς); first declension

2. Earlier form of -η (-ē).

   ᾰ̓γείρω (ăgeírō, “to gather”) + -ᾱ > ᾰ̓γορᾱ́ (ăgorā́)

The earlier -ᾱ is retained in certain dialects, and in Attic after ε, ι or ρ, whence -εā, -ιā and -ρā (e.g., ἀγορά (agorá, “agorā”)).

From the neuter accusative plural ending -ᾰ (-ă).

-ᾰ • (-ă)

2. Added to adjectival roots to form an adverb: -ly

   ‎σᾰφ-ής (săph-ḗs, “clear”) + ‎-ᾰ (-ă) → ‎σᾰ́φᾰ (sắphă, “clearly”)

-α • (-a)

1. used with a noun to form an augmentative:

   ‎μπουκάλι (boukáli, “bottle”) + ‎-α (-a) → ‎μπουκάλα (boukála, “large bottle”)

2. added to adjectival roots to form an adverb:

   ‎γρήγορος (grígoros, “quick”) + ‎-α (-a) → ‎γρήγορα (grígora, “quickly”)

3. to form the feminine:

   ‎δούλος (doúlos, “male slave”) + ‎-α (-a) → ‎δούλα (doúla, “female slave”)

4. an inflectional ending, some examples:

   ‎καρότο (karóto, “carrot”) + ‎-α (-a) → ‎καρότα (karóta, “carrots”, plural case forms)

   ‎φύλακας (fýlakas, “guard”) + ‎-α (-a) → ‎φύλακα (fýlaka, single case forms)