coffeemaker
UK[ˈkɒfimeɪkə(r)]US[ˈkɔːfimeɪkər]
n
An electrical appliance used for brewing coffee.
Morpheme Breakdown
coffee
maker
coffee
maker
Etymology
The word "coffeemaker" is a transparent compound formed in Modern English. Its first element, "coffee", traces a long journey from the Arabic "qahwah", a term originally associated with wine, through Ottoman Turkish and into European languages like Italian "caffè" and Dutch "koffie". The second element, "maker", derives from the Old English verb "macian", meaning to construct or form. The compound logically and literally denotes "a device that makes coffee", reflecting the straightforward naming pattern for household appliances that emerged in the 20th century. Its formation follows the common English pattern of combining a noun with an agent noun to describe a tool's primary function.
Analysis
Structure: coffee + maker
- coffee (noun): From Arabic "qahwah", via Turkish "kahve" and Dutch "koffie". The core substance or product.
- maker (noun): From Old English "macian" (to make). An agent noun suffix indicating a thing or person that makes something.
Examples
I need to descale the coffeemaker because the water here is very hard.
This programmable coffeemaker can have your coffee ready when you wake up.
She received a sleek new coffeemaker as a wedding gift.