The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.
–ic
SUFFIX:
1. Of, relating to, or characterized by: seismic.2. Having a valence higher than that of a specified element in compounds or ions named with adjectives ending in –ous: sulfuric acid.3. One relating to or characterized by: academic.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Old French -ique, from Latin -icus and from Greek -ikos.
