-ensis

== Latin == === Etymology === Unknown. Various theories have been put forward: Hermann Gähwiler (1962), building on a suggestion by Manu Leumann, proposes a borrowing from Etruscan on the basis that its earliest attested non-toponymic use is in the term ātriēnsis, and the Roman ātrium was an Etruscan import. A similar suffix is attested in Etruscan patronymics. Paavo Castrén (1981) rejects the relevance of ātriēnsis, viewing it as a later development. On the basis of various ancient, then-extinct peoples of Latium with names in -ēnsēs mentioned by Pliny the Elder, Castrén situates the emergence of the suffix in the late Proto-Villanovan period, perhaps as a borrowing from another Italic language. Chantal Kircher-Durand (1983) suggests a derivation from Proto-Indo-European *-went-ti- (< *-wénts, *-tis), but considers Gähwiler’s thesis plausible. A. Zimmermann (1921) suggests a lost cognate of Ancient Greek ἐνς (ens), variant of εἰς (eis) (< Proto-Indo-European *h₁én) + -ī. Contrast Catalan -enc and Occitan -enc. === Pronunciation === (Classical Latin) IPA(key): [ˈẽː.sɪs] (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA(key): [ˈɛn.sis] === Suffix === -ēnsis (neuter -ēnse); third-declension two-termination suffix Of or from [a place]. ==== Usage notes ==== The suffix -ēnsis is added to a toponym (especially the name of a town) or to a topographical name, in order to form an adjective. Examples: ‎Eborācum (“York”) + ‎-ēnsis → ‎eborācēnsis (“of or from York”) ‎castra (“camp”) + ‎-ēnsis → ‎castrēnsis (“of the camp”) ==== Declension ==== Third-declension two-termination adjective. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Descendants ==== === See also === -ānus / -īnus === References ===