The suffix '-ous' is commonly used to describe what?

The suffix '-ous' is often used in the English language, particularly in medical terminology, to indicate that something is 'full of' or characterized by the quality of something. For example, in terms like 'venous' (related to veins) or 'nervous' (related to nerves), the suffix implies a presence or abundance of certain attributes or characteristics associated with the root word. This makes it a descriptive suffix that is crucial in medical terminology to convey specific qualities about substances or conditions.

In contrast, the other options do not correctly represent the function of the suffix '-ous.' The notion of an agent that causes is more accurately represented by the suffix '-gen' or '-genic.' A type of disease would typically involve suffixes like '-itis' or '-osis,' which specifically denote pathological conditions. Finally, a type of cell would be indicated by suffixes like '-cyte' or '-blast,' which focus on cellular classification. Thus, understanding the meaning of suffixes like '-ous' helps clarify the language and terminology used in the medical field.