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
creeper
A small bird that climbs tree trunks to find food.
Etymology
Creep names close, gradual movement, and -er identifies the mover. The bird’s name describes its progress along tree bark while searching the surface and crevices for food.