-ant
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-ant
suff.
1.
a. Performing, promoting, or causing a specified action: acceptant.
b. Being in a specified state or condition: flippant.
2.
a. One that performs, promotes, or causes a specified action: deodorant.
b. One that undergoes a specified action: inhalant.
[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin -āns, -ant-, present participle suff. of verbs in -āre.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
-ant
suffix forming adjectives, suffix forming nouns
causing or performing an action or existing in a certain condition; the agent that performs an action: pleasant; claimant; deodorant; protestant; servant.
[from Latin -ant-, ending of present participles of the first conjugation]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
ant
(ænt)n.
any of numerous hymenopterous insects of the widespread family Formicidae, that live in highly organized colonies containing wingless female workers of various castes, a winged queen, and during the breeding season winged males.
Idioms: have ants in one's pants, Slang. to be impatient or eager to act.
[before 1000; Old English ǣmette, c. Middle Low German āmete, ēm(e)te, Old High German āmeiza (ā- a-3 + a n. derivative of meizan to beat, cut). compare emmet, mite1]
ant-
var. of anti- before a vowel or h: antacid; anthelmintic.
-ant
a suffix joined to verbs, with the general sense “performing” or “a person or thing that performs” the action denoted by the verb; often in nouns denoting participants in a formalized activity (applicant; contestant; defendant) or denoting substances that bring about a desired result (coolant; deodorant; lubricant). See also -ent.
[< Latin -ant-, present participle s. of verbs in -āre; in many words < French -ant < Latin -ant-]
ant.
1. antenna.
2. antonym.
Ant.
Antarctica.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.