DictionaryRoot: -or
Latin

-or

a person or thing that acts

Forms

  • -or
  • -oris — The longer Latin form used to express “of” such a person or thing.

Origin

In action words, Latin -or usually belongs to the older endings -tor and -sor.

Note

The final letters alone do not prove this meaning: Latin also had a separate -or ending for qualities and states.

69 / 76
An older white manager hands office keys to a younger Black woman taking over the role.
noun

successor

suk-SES-er/səkˈsesər/

A person or thing that takes another's place in a role or position.

Etymology

A successor is literally one who comes after. The underlying verb also meant taking another's place, connecting simple sequence with replacement in an office or role.

Full entry

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