Morpheme
-(e)l(e) [-le, -el, -l]
Type
suffix
Denotation
instrumental, frequentive, and diminutive suffix
Etymology
Middle English -el, -le, -elen, -len, -lien; Old English -ol, -ul, -el, -lian
Evidence
bedraggled, bobble, bristle, buzzle, crackle, dabble, dazzle, dotel, figgle, gnarl, gobble, google, handle, hosel, hurtle, joggle, kittle, knarl, knobble, knurl, ladle, muddle, nestle, ripple, ruddle, shovel, shuttle, sidle, skiffle, snarl, springle, startle, suckle, swingle, swivel, tinkle, topple, trample, treadle, wrestle
Notes
-el and -l less common than -le
Homographs
-l-, -(e)le [-ele, -le], -(i)l(e) [-ile, -il, -le], (U)le [Ule, Le], -(u)le [-ule, -le], el-, -el, -el, -el
