Sy

¹

[sahy]

noun

1. a male given name, form of Seymour, Simon, or Silas.

sy-

²

1. variant of syn- before s followed by a consonant and before z: systaltic; syzygy.

-sy

³

1. a suffix forming nouns or adjectives, sometimes a diminutive of the base word and usually confined to informal and jocular use (bitsy; footsie; halvsies ); adjectives formed with -sy may be ironic, implying that the quality in question is self-consciously assumed or feigned (artsy; cutesy; folksy ). The combination of -s and -y or -y in certain words (antsy; gutsy ) should perhaps be considered further instances of this suffix.

SY

¹

abbreviation

1. Seychelles (international car registration)

sy

²

abbreviation

1. Syrian Arab Republic

Word History and Origins

Origin of SY¹

Perhaps originally two distinct suffixes, one diminutive (as in Betsy, popsy, tootsy ) and the other adjectival; sources of both are uncertain

Example Sentences

"The trust the ECI once commanded almost unquestioningly is now under greater public scrutiny," former chief election commissioner SY Quraishi wrote in the Indian Express newspaper.

From BBC

I remember being moved by the close bond author Sy Montgomery forms with one of these cephalopods in “The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration in the Wonder of Consciousness.”

From Salon

Men at Wall St. firms tell reporters they are thrilled to be able to talk about "p**sy" in the workplace again.

From Salon

Bendick Sy, whose home is still standing, is also eager to return.

From Los Angeles Times

Sy said he didn’t mind the waiting to return but shared residents’ frustrations about the lack of clarity around the repopulation process.

From Los Angeles Times