What does the suffix “‑erior” mean?

The suffix ‑erior is used in many words that seem to indicate position:

• superior
• inferior
• anterior
• posterior

However, with my Google-fu, I can’t find a real definition or etymology.

What does ‑erior mean? From what language does it come?

Solution 1:

Your Google-fu probably fails because the suffix is "-ior", not -"erior". For example, there are the words "excelsior", "senior", "junior".

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology says:

-ior formerly also -iour — F. -ieur, † -iour — L. iōrem, nom. -ior, suffix of compar. of adj., as in anterior, exterior, inferior, interior, junior, posterior, senior, ulterior. In warrior the ending has another origin.

So, it comes from Latin via French.