debugger
UK[ˌdiːˈbʌɡə(r)]US[ˌdiːˈbʌɡər]
n
A computer program or tool used to find and remove errors (bugs) from other computer programs.
Morpheme Breakdown
de
bug
er
de
remove
bug
error
er
agent suffix
Etymology
The word 'debugger' is a modern compound formed within the field of computer science. Its core component, 'bug', entered engineering slang in the late 19th century, famously popularized in 1947 when a moth caused a malfunction in an early computer. The prefix 'de-', from Latin, adds the sense of removal or reversal, creating the verb 'debug' meaning to remove errors. Finally, the agent suffix '-er' is appended, following a standard English pattern (like 'writer' or 'player'), to form a noun for the tool that performs the debugging action. Thus, the term's logic is transparent: a thing that removes bugs.
Analysis
Structure: de (remove) + bug (error) + er (agent suffix)
de: A prefix of Latin origin meaning "remove" or "reverse".
bug: A word of English origin, from the informal term for a defect or fault in a machine or system.
er: A suffix of Old English origin denoting an agent or person/thing that performs an action.
Examples
The developer used a debugger to step through the code and locate the source of the crash.
Learning to use a debugger effectively is an essential skill for any programmer.
The integrated debugger in the software suite provides powerful breakpoint and inspection features.