Which suffix indicates a state of being or condition?

The suffix that indicates a state of being or condition is commonly recognized as "-ism." This suffix is used in various medical and academic terms to denote practices, beliefs, or states of being. For example, in medicine, we see terms such as "autism," which refers to a developmental condition affecting communication and behavior, and "alcoholism," which describes the condition of being dependent on alcohol.

While the other suffixes are also used in medical terminology, they serve different purposes. The suffix "-iasis" often refers specifically to a pathological condition or disease state, such as "cholelithiasis," which denotes the presence of gallstones. The suffix "-ity" is used to indicate a quality or condition, as seen in "obesity," but it implies a more general quality rather than a specific state of being. The suffix "-us" typically indicates a singular noun, especially in anatomical terms, such as "virus," and does not inherently convey a state or condition.

Thus, "-ism" is the best choice for indicating a state of being or condition due to its broad application in defining various medical and conceptual states.