degreaser
UK[diːˈɡriːzə(r)]US[diːˈɡriːzər]
n
a substance or device used for removing grease or oily dirt.
Morpheme Breakdown
de
grease
er
de
remove
grease
fatty substance
er
agent suffix
Etymology
the word 'degreaser' is a modern english compound built from transparent morphemes. the prefix 'de-,' of latin origin, carries the sense of removal or reversal. it is attached to the noun 'grease,' which entered english via old french from the latin 'crassus,' meaning thick or fat, referring to oily or fatty substances. the agent suffix '-er' is added to form a noun denoting an instrument or substance that performs the action of removing grease. thus, the term's logic is directly compositional: a thing that removes grease.
Analysis
Structure: de (remove) + grease (fatty substance) + er (agent suffix)
de: from latin, a prefix meaning "off, away, down, completely," indicating removal or reversal.
grease: from old french "graisse," meaning "fat, grease," ultimately from latin "crassus" meaning "thick, fat."
er: from old english "-ere," an agent noun suffix indicating a person or thing that performs an action.
Examples
she used a powerful degreaser to clean the engine parts.
this citrus-based degreaser is effective yet environmentally friendly.
pour the industrial degreaser onto the greasy floor and let it sit for ten minutes.