What does the suffix in normal mean?

The suffix "-al" in "normal" doesn't have a specific meaning on its own. It's part of a larger word formation process where Latin roots are combined with suffixes to create English words.

Here's a breakdown:

* "norm": This is the root word, coming from the Latin "norma" meaning "rule" or "pattern".

* "-al": This is a common suffix in English, often indicating an adjective meaning "relating to" or "characteristic of".

Therefore, "normal" means "relating to or conforming to a standard, rule, or pattern".

It's important to note that the suffix "-al" can have slightly different meanings depending on the context. For example, "national" (relating to a nation) and "seasonal" (relating to a season) are adjectives formed with the same suffix.