The suffix -ous denotes which meaning?

• A. Pertaining to
• B. Abnormal condition
• C. Process
• D. Condition of

Answer: (A)

Understanding the suffix -ous: it forms adjectives that describe a quality or relation, indicating that something has or is characterized by that root. In medical terms, -ous usually means pertaining to or full of a certain quality. Examples help: cutaneous means pertaining to the skin, nervous relates to nerves, and gaseous means relating to gas. So the best match is “pertaining to.” The other meanings describe a state or process rather than a relation or inherent quality, which would be expressed with different suffixes (for example, a condition or disease or a process).