-s- en · X
Etymology
From Middle English -s, -es, from Old English -es (“-'s”, masculine and neuter genitive singular ending), which survives in many old compounds. In more recent coinage, from contraction of the derived clitic -'s in compounds. For more, see -'s.
Meanings
-
(morpheme) Genitival interfix used to link elements in some compounds, equivalent to the possessive clitic -'s.
hogshead, kingsman, yearsworth, jobsworth, womenswear, craftsperson