What does the suffix "-ation" denote?

The suffix “-ation” is used in medical terminology and other contexts to signify a process, action, or the result of a particular action. For example, in words like “hydration,” it indicates the process of water being absorbed or the result of being hydrated. This suffix effectively converts verbs into nouns, allowing for the description of processes derived from those verbs.

In contrast, the other options refer to different concepts. The suffix that denotes "flow or discharge" would be "-rrhea," the one indicating "fear of" would typically be "-phobia," and the suffix that conveys a sense of "small or diminutive" is usually "-icle" or "-ule." Understanding these distinctions is crucial for grasping the nuances of medical terminology.