\-a"tion\ [L. -ationem. See {-tion}.]
A suffix forming nouns of action, and often equivalent to the
verbal substantive in -ing. It sometimes has the further
meanings of state, and that which results from the action.
Many of these nouns have verbs in -ate; as, alliterate
-ation, narrate -ation; many are derived through the French;
as, alteration, visitation; and many are formed on verbs
ending in the Greek formative -ize (Fr. -ise); as,
civilization, demoralization.