-mony

suffix forming nouns esp. denoting an abstract state or quality (acrimony; testimony).
Etymology: L -monia, -monium, rel. to -MENT

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a suffix found on abstract nouns borrowed from Latin, usually denoting a status, role, or function (matrimony; testimony), or a personal quality or kind of behavior (acrimony; sanctimony).

[ < L -monium (denominal), -monia (usually deadjectival), presumably orig. derivatives with -ium -IUM, -ia -IA of -mon-, an adj. or n. suffix, c. Gk -mon (see HEGEMONY); cf. ALIMONY]

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suffix forming nouns often denoting an action, state, or quality

ceremony | harmony

Origin:

from Latin -monia, -monium

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-mony

suffix, occurring only in ns. adopted from Latin; in acrimony, ceremony, querimony, sanctimony, it represents L. -mōnia, and in matrimony, parsimony, patrimony, testimony, it represents L. -mōnium; for alimony there are two L. forms alimōnia, -mōnium, the former being ante- and post-classical. The -mōn- of the two L. suffixes is related by ablaut to the suffix -men of object-nouns, of which -mentum -ment is an extended form.