boiler
UK[ˈbɔɪlə]US[ˈbɔɪlər]
n
a large, strong container in which water is heated to produce steam or hot water, especially for central heating or power generation.
n
a device for boiling water, especially a metal container with a spout, used for making tea or coffee.
Morpheme Breakdown
boil
er
boil
er
Etymology
the word 'boiler' is a straightforward compound formed within english. its core, 'boil', traces back to the latin verb 'bullīre', meaning to bubble or seethe, which itself is derived from 'bulla', a word for bubble. the agent suffix '-er', of germanic origin, is commonly used to form nouns for tools or machines. therefore, a boiler is, quite logically, "a thing that boils." the term first emerged in the early 18th century to describe vessels for boiling or evaporating liquids, with its application narrowing to steam-generating and water-heating apparatus as technology advanced during the industrial revolution.
Analysis
Structure: boil + er
- boil: from middle english 'boilen', from old french 'boillir', from latin 'bullīre' (to bubble, boil). functional role: verbal root meaning to heat a liquid until it bubbles and turns to vapor.
- er: from old english '-ere', an agent noun suffix indicating a person or thing that performs an action. functional role: suffix forming nouns denoting an instrument or device.
Examples
the old building's boiler broke down, leaving the tenants without heat in the middle of winter.
she filled the electric boiler to make a pot of tea for her guests.
the power plant relies on a massive boiler to produce steam for its turbines.