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
joiner
A carpenter specializing in finished woodwork and fittings.
Etymology
The agent ending names someone whose craft is joining. A woodworking joiner fits shaped pieces together to produce finished fittings and other detailed work.