-issimus

== Latin == === Alternative forms === -issumus === Etymology === Inherited from Proto-Italic *-isəmos, from Proto-Indo-European *-is-(t)m̥mós, from *-yōs (comparative suffix, zero-grade *-is) +‎ *-(t)m̥mos (absolute superlative suffix). The latter is seen whole in -timus (e.g. intimus, extimus, citimus, ultimus, assimilated pessimus, optimus). The original form seems, however, to be *-m̥mós (see super, summus), which acquired an initial /t/ from the paradigm -ter ~ -timus (e.g. exter ~ extimus), and is cognate with Proto-Germanic *-umô (source, via metanalysis, of English -most). By various sound changes (e.g. *-isəmos > *-ismos > *-īmus) superlative grades in -īmus, -ēmus etc. (e.g. extrēmus, suprēmus) are also found. The expected development of *-(o)ism̥mos > *-erimus is nowhere to be found. The geminate /s/ may be the result of expressive lengthening or influence from specific forms similar to pessimus and endings in -errimus and -illimus. (Can this(+) etymology be sourced?) === Pronunciation === (Classical Latin) IPA(key): [ɪs.sɪ.mʊs] (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA(key): [is.si.mus] === Suffix === -issimus (feminine -issima, neuter -issimum); first/second-declension suffix Added to an adjective noun to form its superlative grade: ‎altus (“high”) + ‎-issimus → ‎altissimus (“highest”) ‎fortis (“strong”) + ‎-issimus → ‎fortissimus (“strongest”) ==== Usage notes ==== Stems in -ro- and -lo- instead take the suffix -errimus and -illimus respectively (e.g. *polkros (pulcher) > *polkrisemos > *polkr̥semos > *polkersimos > pulcherrimus). Some adjective nouns have irregular superlative grades from other roots or compositions (e.g. bonus – optimus, malus – pessimus, magnus – maximus). ==== Declension ==== First/second-declension adjective. ==== Coordinate terms ==== -ior ==== Descendants ==== Old French: -isme → Catalan: -íssim → Franco-Provençal: -issimo → French: -issime → Galician: -ísimo Italian: -issimo → Portuguese: -íssimo Sicilian: -ìssimu → Spanish: -ísimo === References === Sihler, Andrew L. (1995), New Comparative Grammar of Greek and Latin, Oxford, New York: Oxford University Press, →ISBN