-ory¹

A place having a particular function or character.

Latin ‑oria, ‑orium, sometimes via Anglo-Norman French ‑orie, Old French ‑oire.

Some examples relating to the function of a place are dormitory (Latin dormitorium, from dormire, to sleep); lavatory (Latin lavatorium, place for washing, from lavare, to wash); observatory (Latin observatorium, from observare, to watch). Some relating to the character of a place are promontory (Latin promontorium, from the verb prominere, be prominent) and territory (Latin territorium, from terra, land). See also ‑orium.

Associated adjectives are sometimes formed in ‑orial (lavatorial, territorial); see ‑al¹. History, however, derives from Greek historia, finding out, narrative, history.