-stat

Questions

How do you pronounce -stat?

The recorded pronunciation is /stæt/.

What does -stat mean?

Used to form nouns naming scientific instruments that act to render the prefixed element stationary or static in some respect.

Where does -stat come from?

The terminal element in certain names of scientific instruments, employed on the analogy of early coinages from other languages, namely heliostat (from the New Latin hēliostata, itself apparently representing an assumed Ancient Greek etymon of the form *ἡλιοστάτης (hēliostátēs), from ἥλιος (hḗlios, “sun”) + -στάτης (-státēs), the latter an agent-nominal suffix from the aorist active participial stem (the στα- (sta-) root) of ἵστημι (hístēmi, “to cause to stand”, “to set”)), siderostat (from the Latin sīdus, star + the Ancient Greek -στάτης (-státēs)), and aerostat (from the French aérostat, itself a back-formation from aérostatique (formed after hydrostatique), formed on the analogy of héliostat); later coinages have been formed on the analogy of heliostat, apparently with some reference to the Ancient Greek στατός (statós, “standing”, “stationary”). See also clinostat, hydrostat, and thermostat.

How to pronounce -stat

1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “-stat”.
2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/stæt/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “-stat”.
4. Repeat and practice — Say “-stat” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.