Here's a breakdown:
* Origin: It comes from the Latin word "-actus", meaning "acted" or "done".
* Function: It often transforms verbs into nouns.
* Examples:
* React: to respond to something (verb) -> Reaction: the act of responding (noun)
* Contract: to make an agreement (verb) -> Contract: a formal agreement (noun)
* Interact: to communicate or act together (verb) -> Interaction: the process of communicating (noun)
While "-act" is a common suffix, there are some words that have a different meaning:
* Fact: a piece of information that is true (noun)
* Impact: the effect or influence of something (noun)
It's important to note that "-act" can also be part of a larger suffix like "-action", "-activity", or "-actor", which have similar meanings related to action or doing.