Which suffix indicates 'condition of'?

• A. -esis
• B. -ia
• C. -ion
• D. -ism

Answer: (A)

A suffix that forms nouns naming a state or condition derived from a root is -esis. This ending is used in medical terms to describe the condition or process resulting from something, so it often reads as “the state of” a particular thing. For example, emesis refers to the state or process of vomiting, which fits the idea of a condition. The other suffixes describe different ideas: -ia denotes a general state or condition, -ion signals an action or process, and -ism indicates a doctrine, belief, or characteristic. Among the options, -esis most directly conveys the sense of “condition of,” making it the best choice.