Webster's Online Dictionary
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Definition: -OUS

Part of Speech Definition
Expression 1. An adjective suffix meaning full of, abounding in, having, possessing the qualities of, like; as in gracious, abounding in grace; arduous, full of ardor; bulbous, having bulbs, bulblike; riotous, poisonous, piteous, joyous, etc.[Websters]
2. A suffix denoting that the element indicated by the name bearing it, has a valence lower than that denoted by the termination -ic; as, nitrous, sulphurous, etc., as contrasted with nitric, sulphuric, etc.[Websters].

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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Extended Definition: -OUS

-ous

-ous is an English suffix with the following uses.

It is used to create adjectives that describe a quality of the described object derived from the nature of the word the suffix is derived from. For example, "porous surface" means a surface with a special quality: a significant presence of pores. In this function it is similar to the siffedes -en ("wooden"), -ic ("artistic").

In chemistry this suffix has a special function. It is used in chemical nomenclature to name chemical compounds in which a specified chemical element has a lower oxidation number than in the equivalent compound whose name ends in the suffix -ic. See Inorganic nomenclature.

Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; from the article "-ous". Image Credit.
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Topics by Level of Interest: -OUS

Topics sorted by level of Interest Level (1=low, 600=high)     Topics sorted Alphabetically Level (1=low, 600=high)
-ous 3     -ous 3

Source: the editor, created by/for EVE to gauge likely levels of human interest in linguistically triggered topics (compiled across various sources, such as Wikipedia and specialty expression glosses).