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.