-ally

Etymology
From, , a combination equivalent to +. The Middle English suffix was originally non-productive, and was from -ly adverbs based on nouns ending an -al. In modern usage the suffix has been reanalyzed and is now treated as a separate, productive suffix.

Suffix

 * , used with adjectives in.

Usage notes

 * Three cases should be distinguished: 1.) adjectives in, such as , which take the suffix to form adverbs; 2.) adjectives in , like , which take the suffix ; 3.) other adjectives in , like , which take the suffix . Cases 1 and 2 are generally pronounced , while case 3 tends to have an extra syllable: . Only case 1 is strictly an example of the present lemma.
 * The main exceptions to the rule that adjectives in form adverbs in  is, where  is much more common than , and (im)politic.