-αινα

Ancient Greek

Etymology

    From -ινα (-ina) on α stems.

    Pronunciation

     

    Suffix

    -αινᾰ • (-ainăf (genitive -αίνης); first declension

    1. Added to the stem of a masculine noun to form a corresponding feminine noun.
      δρᾰ́κων (drắkōn, dragon) + ‎-αινα (-aina) → ‎δρᾰ́καινᾰ (drắkaină, she-dragon)
      λέων (léōn, lion) + ‎-αινα (-aina) → ‎λέαινα (léaina, lioness)
      λύκος (lúkos, wolf) + ‎-αινα (-aina) → ‎λύκαινα (lúkaina, she-wolf)

    Derived terms

    Greek

    Suffix

    -αινα • (-ainaf

    1. Used to form the feminine form of masculine nouns:
      λύκος (lýkos, wolf) + ‎-αινα (-aina) → ‎λύκαινα (lýkaina, she-wolf)
    2. Used to form the andronyms:
      Γεώργιος (Geórgios, George) + ‎-αινα (-aina) → ‎Γιώργαινα (Giórgaina, Georgiana)

    Derived terms

    Greek terms suffixed with -αινα