-ic

-ic. Etym: [L. -icus, Gr. ique.] 1. A suffix signifying, in general, relating to, or characteristic of; as, historic, hygienic, telegraphic, etc. 2. (Chem.) Defn: A suffix, denoting that the element indicated enters into certain compounds with its highest valence, or with a valence relatively higher than in compounds where the name of the element ends in -ous; as, ferric, sulphuric. It is also used in the general sense of pertaining to; as, hydric, sodic, calcic.

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