bumper
UK[ˈbʌmpə(r)]US[ˈbʌmpər]
n
a horizontal bar across the front or back of a motor vehicle to reduce damage in a collision.
n
something unusually large or abundant.
adj
unusually large or successful.
Morpheme Breakdown
bump
er
bump
to strike
er
agent/instrument suffix
Etymology
the word 'bumper' originates from the verb 'bump', an onomatopoeic term from the 16th century imitating the sound of a heavy blow. the agentive suffix '-er' was added, initially creating a noun for something that bumps or causes a bump. by the late 17th century, it was used to describe a full glass or cup, so full it 'bumped' against another when toasting. this sense of abundance led to the adjective meaning 'exceptionally large'. the automotive sense, for a protective bar, emerged in the early 20th century, logically denoting an instrument designed to absorb or give bumps.
Analysis
Structure: bump (to strike) + er (agent/instrument suffix)
bump (english, from imitative origin, meaning a blow or knock). er (english, agentive suffix forming nouns denoting an instrument or agent).
Examples
the car's front bumper was dented in the minor collision.
farmers are expecting a bumper crop this harvest season.
the company reported bumper profits for the third consecutive quarter.