What does the suffix 'ment' signify in a word?

The suffix 'ment' is used to form nouns that signify an action or the result of an action. For instance, in the word 'development', 'ment' indicates the process or act of developing. This suffix helps to transform a verb into a noun, highlighting the action related to that verb.

In contrast, other suffixes have different meanings: 'quality of' relates to adjectives, 'state of' might point to conditions or situations, and 'one who' typically denotes a person performing a specific action. In this context, 'ment' specifically captures the essence of actions or processes, making it the correct choice.