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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verb / noun

blabber

BLAB-er/ˈblæbər/

To talk excessively and without discretion.

He blabbers about the surprise party before the guests even arrive.

An animated adult talks on and on at a table while two companions look exhausted and a quiet companion gestures to stop, clearly excessive thoughtless talking, no text.
Etymology

Blabben plus a repetition-marking ending suggests ongoing babbling. Blabber first described infant-like speech, then excessive talk; the precise historical relationship between blab and blabber remains difficult to determine.

More examples

  • Please stop blabbering and listen to the instructions.
  • She regretted blabbering the secret to her neighbor.
  • Nobody trusted the office blabber with confidential news.

Forms

blabber · blabbers · blabbered · blabbering

Similar words

babble
Can be confused or childlike talk without revealing secrets.
blab
More directly means carelessly revealing private information.