Which suffix denotes a process?

The suffix that denotes a process is commonly understood to be -ism. This suffix is used in medical terminology as well as in general language to refer to a condition or a process of a certain kind. For example, in medical terms like "hyperthyroidism," it indicates a process related to an overactive thyroid gland. The suffix effectively implies a state or condition that results from a particular process, making it clear that it is not just a simple description but rather indicates an ongoing situation or action.

In contrast, the other suffixes have distinct meanings: -itis refers to inflammation (as in "arthritis," meaning inflammation of the joints), -oid means resembling or similar to (as in "cytoid," meaning cell-like), and -oma indicates a tumor or abnormal growth (as in "hematoma," which refers to a localized collection of blood outside of blood vessels). Each of these serves a specific purpose in medical terminology but does not convey the notion of a process in the same way that -ism does.