what is the exact definition of "matic" at the end of words like asthmatic, automatic, charismatic etc

Question

I have tried several websites and online language resources, but to no avail. please help.

Also I use the word "trustmatic", what would you understand from it?

Thanks...

Answer 1

There's a problem with your question. The "matic" parts in the words you list have DIFFERENT origins.

In the case of "automatic" the word has TWO parts - "auto" meaning 'self' and 'matos' (> 'matic' ending) meaning 'willing', so literally it is, self-willing (that is, 'act of one's own will')
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/automatic

But 'charismatic' and other -matic ending words are NOT derived the same way (talkietoasta is mistaken here). For example, "dogmatic" - the root word is "dogma" (plural "dogmata") NOT "dog-" ! (likewise, 'charismatic' is derived from charisma(ta).) And you probably already know that the root word is "asthma" NOT "asth".
(To confirm this, check the etymology for each of these words --listed at the end of the entry-- at: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/ )

So it is incorrect and meaningless to talk about "the meaning of matic" in these words - because there IS no separate word/part "matic" in these words!

Now it IS true that for MOST English "-matic" words, the '-ma' goes back to an old suffix used in Greek to form certain nouns, with the meaning, "result of, the act of"
http://lists.ibiblio.org/pipermail/b-greek/2006-June/039027.html

As for your coinage -- the way you would create a new word here, on the analogy of "automate/automatic" would include the O. In other words, you could form a word like "trustomatic" or perhaps "trustomat" (compare "laundromat"). All such creations would carry the basic idea of something that is automated or automatic. So, in your example, it would likely be used describe something that enabled one to trust without the effort (or risk?) typically required.

Answer 2

It is not correct to think that in each of the words ending with matic, matic has a meaning.
For example, in automatic, auto means self and matic means willing.But in asthmatic and charismatic, they aren't compound words, but the origins are asthma and charisma respectively.
Trustmatic is a word which doesn't exist at all.You may use trustworthy or trusting according to the way you understand trustmatic.
Hope you got my point.
Also hope you select my answer as best answer!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 3

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Yes! You can do it by using all 110 characters when asking the question--provided you use ALL 110 characters and the last character is NOT a space! BUT, you can also ask a question that displays LESS than 110 characters with no question mark! Enter your "question" with fewer than 110 characters -- example: I like chocolate-covered pet ants. Then fill the remaining characters with spaces! If you were to submit your question now, you'd get: I like chocolate-covered pet ants.? Which isn't what you want! After filling the remaining characters with spaces, hit backspace once so you have 1 character remaining! Then, press and hold your Alt key and type on your numeric pad these numbers: 0160 Then release the Alt key! If you did it correctly (it's important you use the numeric pad and NOT the numbers on the upper row of your keyboard), it should generate a No-Break Space character and show that you have 0 characters remaining! Submit your non-question and it would appear as: I like chocolate-covered pet ants. No question mark and fewer than 110 characters! Edit: (Laughs at self!) Apparently there's an easier way! Just insert spaces between the last two words (or any two words), making note of the character count until it reaches 0! The trick is to make sure the last character is anything but a space! When the question posts, the extra spaces will be removed (along with the question mark)! But putting the No-Break Space at the end is still the COOL way to do it!

Answer 4

"-matic" comes from the greek word "matos" meaning "willing". The word "automatic" thus means "self-willing". The idea behind using it in other words such as asthmatic and charismatic is to indicate control (i.e. someone who is asthmatic is being controlled by asthma.)

"Trustmatic," if such a word existed, would therefore mean under the control of trust, which doesn't seem to make much sense. Besides, it would sound a lot cooler if you could find the greek word for trust and use that!

Answer 5

Define Matic

Answer 6

You need to make a more thorough study of the ETYMOLOGY of words, my dear Sir!

ASTH.ma and CHAR.isma are words --(nouns of Greek origin, I think) , and the adjectival form would naturally be asthmatic and charismatic.... indicating "going towards , or tending to be ".

Auto is a latin word, meaning "self"....and something which ocurs by itself is automatic.
Problem, Symptom,(nouns) ....become problematic, symptomatic, (adj).

It is idiotic that I have not come across a word such as 'Trustomatic'! I am a moron!

Answer 7

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RE:
what is the exact definition of "matic" at the end of words like asthmatic, automatic, charismatic etc
I have tried several websites and online language resources, but to no avail. please help.

Also I use the word "trustmatic", what would you understand from it?

Thanks...

Answer 8

Charisma Etymology

Answer 9

trustmatic doesn't make any sense.

"matic" would be use to suggest someone has this characteristic. Like someone has asthma, or someone has charisma.

Answer 10

It is "willing" or "subject to the function or being of, with respect to the root word",

Trustmatic, if such a word existed, would likely mean to be gullible or subject to being akin to the opinions and influences of others.

asin: The devote I.S.I.L. militant was a trustmatic extremist in his cult like desire to attack innocents, in the name of his ill conceived religious teachings.