-cule

¹ American  

1. variant of -cle.

   animalcule; molecule; reticule.

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-cule ² American  

1. variant of -cle.

   ridicule.

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-cule British  

suffix

1. indicating smallness

   animalcule

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Usage

What does -cule mean? The suffix -cule has two distinct senses.The first of these senses is to denote a diminutive noun, meaning to indicate something small in size or importance. It is also used in other French loanwords from Latin. This form of -cule is occasionally used in a variety of everyday and technical terms. The suffix -cule comes from the Latin endings -culus (masculine), -cula (feminine), and -culum (neuter), which originally designated diminutive nouns.The second of these senses is in words borrowed from Latin where it formed verb nouns that denoted a place appropriate to the action of the verb or means by which the action is performed. This form of -cule is used very rarely in everyday and technical terms. The suffix -cule comes from Latin -cula and -culum by way of French or Old French.What are variants of -cule?A variant of -cule in both senses of the suffix is -cle, as in article or vehicle. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use article on -cle.

Etymology

Origin of -cule¹

From French, from Latin -culus, -cula, -culum; -cle ¹

Origin of -cule²

From French, from Latin -culum, -cula; -cle ²