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A suffix is defined as an affix that is added at the end of a word to alter its meaning or grammatical function. Suffixes often change the part of speech of the word or modify its tense, such as changing a noun to an adjective (e.g., "happy" from "happiness" with the suffix -y) or indicating tense in verbs (e.g., "play" to "played" with the suffix -ed). This understanding is essential for analyzing and understanding the structure of words and their meanings.

The other options reference related concepts but do not accurately describe what a suffix is. For instance, an affix added before a word refers to a prefix, which is positioned at the beginning rather than the end. Word analysis might involve recognizing prefixes, suffixes, and root words but does not specifically define a suffix. The mention of automatic word recognition is related to reading processes but does not pertain directly to the definition of a suffix. This distinction is crucial for correctly identifying and utilizing suffixes in language and literacy.