ية

Definitions

• Used to form abstract nouns from other nouns and from adjectives. Usually there is a parallel nisba adjective in ـِيّ (ـِيّ), with a parallel meaning. For example, اِشْتِرَاكِيَّة (socialism) is formed from اِشْتِرَاك (sharing, cooperation), with a corresponding nisba adjective اِشْتِرَاكِيّ (socialist). It is possible to analyze cases like these as e.g. اِشْتِرَاكِيّ (socialist) suffixed with ـَة (ـَة) to form an abstract noun. However, there are other cases, such as جَاذِبِيَّة (attraction, gravity) derived from جَاذِب (attractive) or أَهَمِّيَّة (importance) derived from أَهَمّ (more important), of formation of nisba nouns from non-nisba adjectives where no corresponding nisba adjective exists.
• Used to form nouns of various types from other nouns, e.g. device nouns such as بُنْدُقِيَّة (rifle) from بُنْدُق (hazelnut, bullet).