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

salver

SAL-ver/ˈsælvər/

A tray used for serving or presenting items.

The server carries our drinks on a polished silver salver.

A polished oval serving tray with two plain cups is held level by a server's coherent hands, tray clearly central, no brands or text.
Etymology

The presentation tray's name goes back to tasting a master's food or drink to test it for poison. The name of that safety test came to denote the tray holding food shown to be safe.

In context

Storytime Haven127:16
when Ram Gafur entered the room carrying a telegram upon a salver, his feelings found vent in a sigh of satisfaction.
A Prince of Swindlers 👑💰 | A Tale of Deceit and Adventure by Guy Boothby

More examples

  • She offers the guests chocolates on a small salver.
  • An invitation rests on the salver beside the door.
  • The staff polish the salvers before the banquet.

Forms

salver · salvers

Similar words

tray
A broader term for a flat carrier or holder.
platter
A large serving plate, usually used specifically for food.