ifies

The suffix "-ify" is a common English morpheme used to form verbs. It typically means to make, cause to be, or become something. For example, "purify" means to make pure, "solidify" means to make solid, and "identify" means to cause someone or something to be recognized. The suffix is derived from Latin, specifically from verbs ending in "-ficare", which itself comes from "facere" meaning "to do" or "to make".

Words ending in "-ify" often indicate a transformation or a process of change. This can be a physical change, such as "liquefy" (to make liquid) or "vaporify" (to turn into vapor). It can also be an abstract change, like "simplify" (to make simple) or "justify" (to show to be right or reasonable). The suffix is highly productive, meaning it can be added to many existing words to create new ones, though some combinations are more common than others. Understanding "-ify" helps in deciphering the meaning of many English verbs and understanding the nuances of change and creation they describe.