Morpheme
-(e)l(e) [-le, -el, -l]
Type
suffix
Denotation
instrumental, frequentive, and diminutive suffix
Etymology
(1) Middle English -el, -le, -elen, -len, -lien; Old English -ol, -ul, -el, -lian; ; (2) German -el; Middle High German -el; Old High German -il
Evidence
bedraggled, bobble, bristle, buzzle, cackle, crackle, dabble, dazzle, dotel, figgle, gnarl, gobble, google, handle, hosel, hurtle, joggle, kittle, knarl, knobble, knurl, ladle, muddle, nestle, ripple, ruddle, schnitzel, 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
