Hypertext Webster Gateway: "ous"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
-ous \-ous\ [OF. -ous, us, -os, F. -eux, fr. L. -osus, and -us.
Cf. {-ose}.]
1. An adjective suffix meaning full of, abounding in, having,
possessing the qualities of, like; as in gracious,
abounding in grace; arduous, full of ardor; bulbous,
having bulbs, bulblike; riotous, poisonous, piteous,
joyous, etc.
2. (Chem.) A suffix denoting that the element indicated by
the name bearing it, has a valence lower than that denoted
by the termination -ic; as, nitrous, sulphurous, etc., as
contrasted with nitric, sulphuric, etc.
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