-ie
earlier form of -y suffix, primarily in words from OF. -ie or -e, as astronomie, fancie, citie, duetie; but often extended also to words from OE. iᵹ, as icie, stonie, and from other sources; in mod. use known chiefly as the Sc. spelling, now also often adopted in England, of the diminutive -y in birdie, dearie, doggie, Jeanie, Willie, etc.
| 1727 W. Mather Yng. Man's Comp. 9 English Words that end with the sound of i, may be indifferently writ with a y, or ie; Safety or Safetie, Bounty or Bountie, but you must never end them with an i only, as Bounti, Safeti, for we have no English words so terminated. 1887 J. S. Winter A Siege-Baby II. 7 Now, my chickie, let me go. |