-k

Meaning

A suffix found in verbs of Middle English, Old English, usually with an intensive or frequentative effect.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: -ken

Inherited from Old English: -cian

Cognate with Western Frisian: -kje

Cognate with German: -chen

Cognate with Danish: -ke

Cognate with Swedish: -ka

Cognate with Faroese: -ka

Cognate with Old English: -

Inherited from Middle English: -ke

Inherited from Old English: -uc

In summary

From Middle English -ken, -kien, from Old English -cian, from Proto-West Germanic *-ukōn, *-ikōn, from Proto-Germanic *-ukōną, *-ikōną. Cognate with West Frisian -kje, German -chen, Danish -ke, Swedish -ka, Faroese -ka. Perhaps related to Old English diminutive suffix -uc, -oc. More at -ock.