a suffix forming nouns or adjectives, sometimes a diminutive of the base word and usually confined to informal and jocular use (bitsy; footsie; halvsies); adjectives formed withmay be ironic, implying that the quality in question is self-consciously assumed or feigned (artsy; cutesy; folksy). The combination of and or in certain words (antsy; gutsy) should perhaps be considered further instances of this suffix.