-logue In the US usually -log.
A type of communication or debate.
[French -logue, from Greek -logos, -logon, word or speech.]
Examples include monologue (Greek monos, alone), a long speech by one actor, or a one by someone monopolising a conversation; dialogue (Greek dia, through), a conversation between two or more people or groups, often to resolve some problem; travelogue, a film, book, or illustrated lecture describing travels; epilogue (Greek epi, in addition), a concluding part to a book or play; Decalogue is another name for the Ten Commandments in Christian theology.
In catalogue (Greek katalogos, from katalegein, pick out or enrol), it has the rare sense of a compilation; a few modern formations are based on it, including magalogue, a blend of magazine and catalogue, a promotional catalogue or brochure designed to resemble a high-quality magazine.
Rarely, the ending is equivalent to -logist: ideologue.
Visit Michael Quinion’s World Wide Words site for 2000+ articles on English!
Copyright © Michael Quinion 2008–. All rights reserved. Page last updated 23 September 2008.
Your comments and suggestions on the site are very welcome.