detonator
UK[ˈdet.ə.neɪ.tər]US[ˈdet̬.ə.neɪ.t̬ɚ]
n
A device or small amount of explosive used to trigger a larger explosion.
n
A mechanism that initiates an explosion, especially in a bomb or piece of ammunition.
Morpheme Breakdown
deton
ator
deton
to explode
ator
agent/thing that does
Etymology
The word 'detonator' is built from the Latin verb detonare, meaning "to thunder down." This verb itself is a compound of de- (down, away) and tonare (to thunder), a term with Proto-Indo-European origins in the root (s)tenh₂-, meaning "to thunder." The suffix -ator is a productive Latin agentive ending, used to form nouns denoting an instrument or agent. Thus, the literal construction "thing that causes to thunder down" evolved logically into the modern, precise term for a device that initiates an explosion, perfectly capturing its functional role.
Analysis
Structure: deton (to explode) + ator (agent/thing that does)
- deton: From Latin detonare (to thunder down, to explode), from de- (down) + tonare (to thunder). It functions as the core verb root meaning "to explode."
- ator: A Latin agent noun suffix (-ator), indicating a person or thing that performs the action of the verb. In English, it forms nouns meaning "one who or that which does [the verb]."
Examples
The bomb disposal expert carefully disconnected the detonator from the main charge.
Safety regulations require the detonator to be stored separately from the explosives.
He pressed the button on the remote detonator, triggering the controlled demolition.