-in

-in¹

a suffix, occurring in adjectives of Greek and Latin origin, meaning "pertaining to," and (in nouns thence derived) also imitated in English (coffin; cousin, etc.).

[ME -in, -ine < OF < L -inus, -ina, -inum < Gk -inos, -ine, -inon]

-in²

a noun suffix used in a special manner in chemical and mineralogical nomenclature (glycerin; acetin, etc.). In spelling, usage wavers between -in and -ine. In chemistry a certain distinction of use is attempted, basic substances having the termination -ine rather than -in (aconitine; aniline, etc.), and -in being restricted to certain neutral compounds, glycerides, glucosides, and proteids (albumin; palmitin, etc.), but this distinction is not always observed.

[ < NL -ina. See -INE²]

-in³

a suffixal use of the adverb in, extracted from sit-in, forming compound nouns, usually from verbs, referring to organized protests through or in support of the named activity (kneel-in; chain-in; be-in) or, more generally, to any organized social or cultural activity (cook-in; sing-in).

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