5

I’d like to use the Latin word for garlic, allium, as an adjective, but can’t find any examples of this being done. Is there a rule for doing this with nouns ending in ‑um? Alliumnal sounds good, but I suspect that’s just because it sounds like autumnal. Any help much appreciated.

Improve this question
2
  • 6
    What's wrong with garlicky?
    – Henry
    Mar 7, 2011 at 14:23
  • Sorry, but downvoted due to no evidence of research.
    – Mark Beadles
    Sep 2, 2012 at 17:48

3 Answers 3

Reset to default
10

Alliaceous is used botanically for plants of the garlic/onion family; might it fit the bill? (It’s much more standard than allial, I think, going both by dictionaries and google.)

Now I want to go out and order something big and garlicky at a restaurant, just so I can smack my lips and say “Mmmmm! Alliaceo-licious!”. Or, not quite, because it would just confuse people. But I’m enjoying the idea…

Improve this answer
2
  • 2
    The correct word always fits the bill.
    – Callithumpian
    Mar 8, 2011 at 4:31
  • Supercalifragilisticexpialliaceous, perhaps?
    – MT_Head
    Jun 20, 2011 at 7:29
3

Allium is already used in English to mean "a bulbous plant of a genus that includes the onion and its relatives". You could use allium as modifier.

[Reference: the New Oxford American Dictionary.]

Improve this answer
2

Alluvium gives alluvial, pericardium gives pericardial, mycelium gives mycelial, so I would go with allial.

Improve this answer
6
  • 5
    But you risk a "huh?" from your readers.
    – Colin Fine
    Mar 7, 2011 at 14:52
  • 1
    Colin makes a good point. If it's not a scientific context, you might consider replacing with "reeking" or "offensive"
    – Neil
    Mar 7, 2011 at 15:08
  • 1
    Well, the constraint is “I'd like to use the Latin for…”. Given that, the solution is clearly allial. Now, if you have a different writing constraint, clearly garlicky is a better choice.
    – F'x
    Mar 7, 2011 at 15:27
  • 1
    I'm writing an informal essay on growing garlic for the first time. I'm attempting to both add humor and to avoid repetition of the word garlic. My sentence is, "Growing my own was the final _______ frontier." So, obviously, "reeking" won't work. "Allial" does have the huh?-factor, but might be worth it.
    – Callithumpian
    Mar 7, 2011 at 15:50
  • 1
    As long as you've introduced "allium" beforehand, people should understand what you mean when you write "allial". It might just take them a little while, that's all.
    – user1579
    Mar 7, 2011 at 17:27

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.