-ites

Suffix

-ite (plural -ites)

1. (derogatory, sometimes) Used to form nouns denoting followers or adherents of a specified person, idea, doctrine, movement, etc.
   • Adamsite, Campbellite, Jacobite, laborite, Mansonite, Reaganite, Thatcherite
2. Used to form nouns denoting descendants of a specified historical person, especially a biblical figure.
   • Cainite, Ephraimite, Hamite, Japhetite, Lamanite
3. (India, US) Used to form demonyms.
   • Brooklynite, Delhiite, Jerusalemite, Keralite, Kilgoreite, New Jerseyite, Seattleite, Seoulite, Sydneyite, Wisconsinite, Wyomingite; also see ashramite, hostelite
4. Used to form nouns denoting rocks or minerals.
   • andalusite, anorthosite, anthracite, erythrite, forsterite, graphite, hawleyite, titanite
5. Used to form nouns denoting fossil organisms.
   • ammonite, belemnite
6. Used to form nouns denoting segments or components of the body or an organ of the body.
   • dendrite, somite

See all 10 meanings of -ite

Suffix

-itis (noun-forming suffix, usually uncountable, plural (uncommon) -itides or (rare) -itises or (rare) -ites)

1. (usually) Denoting diseases characterized by inflammation, itself often caused by an infection.
2. (humorous, usually) Used to form the names of various fictitious afflictions or diseases.
   • What to Do About Senioritis: Make Your Senior Year Count, College Board. Accessed April 4, 2008.