- A suffix forming nouns of action, and often equivalent to the
verbal substantive in -ing. It sometimes has the further meanings of
state, and that which results from the action. Many of these nouns have
verbs in -ate; as, alliterate -ation, narrate -ation; many are derived
through the French; as, alteration, visitation; and many are formed on
verbs ending in the Greek formative -ize (Fr. -ise); as, civilization,
demoralization.