rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryRoot: -er
English

-er

a person or thing that does something

Forms

  • -er
  • -r — Used after some bases ending in e.

Origin

Old English -ere, generally traced through Germanic to Latin -arius.

Note

It can name a tool as readily as a person. The comparison ending in taller has a different history.

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noun

nipper

An implement that pinches or cuts.

She uses a pair of nippers to cut the wire.

Etymology
nippEnglisha quick pinch, bite, or small action
+erEnglisha person or thing that does something

Nipper adds -er to nip, meaning to pinch or bite. The tool-name describes an implement whose jaws perform that pinching or cutting action.

More examples

  • Tile nippers help him shape the curved edge.
  • A nail nipper trims thick toenails.
  • The carpenter grips the nail with nippers and pulls it out.

Forms

nipper · nippers

nip verb — To pinch or bite something sharply.

Similar words

pliers
Pliers mainly grip and bend, though some also cut.
clippers
Clippers trim material rather than grip or pinch it.