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Meaning of -ous in English:

-ous

Pronunciation /?s/

See synonyms for -ous

suffix

  • 1(forming adjectives) characterized by; of the nature of.

    ‘dangerous’
    • ‘mountainous’

  • 2Chemistry
    (forming adjectives) denoting an element in a lower valency.

    Compare with -ic

    ‘ferrous’
    • ‘sulphurous’

Origin

From Anglo-Norman French, or Old French -eus, from Latin -osus.