-cy

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-cy suffix corr. to F. -tie, †-cie, originating in L. -cia, -tia, Gr. -k(e)íā, -t(e)íā, f. -k-, -t- + -īa, etc. -Y 3; occurs chiefly in -ACY, -ANCY, -CRACY, -ENCY, -MANCY. On the model of prophet/prophecy was formed idiocy from idiot, and thence secrecy from secret. The correspondence of agent and agency and consequently of lieutenant and lieutenancy gave rise to captaincy, chaplaincy, from captain, chaplain. The suffix is added to some words ending in t, as bankruptcy, baronetcy, paramountcy.

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