etymology - Question about words ending with '-dle'


Forgive me if this is already answered.


As a little background, I use English as a second language and am a bit interested in etymology.


Recently I came up with an observation that many English words which are associated with tools end with '-dle'. For instance, we have words like 'bindle, cradle, huddle, griddle, saddle, paddle' to name a few. Maybe it is a hasty generalization, but I begin to suspect that this suffix is associated with certain meaning which is not known to me.


Unfortunately a quick googling showed nothing to me, so I would appreciate any clarification on this subject.



Answer



The suffix you are looking for is -le, not -dle


According to dictionary.com:


1. a suffix of verbs having a frequentative force: dazzle; twinkle.


2. a suffix of adjectives formed originally on verbal stems and having the sense of “apt to”: brittle.


3. a noun suffix having originally a diminutive meaning: bramble.


4. a noun suffix indicating agent or instrument: beadle; bridle; thimble.


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