fender
UK[ˈfɛndə]US[ˈfɛndər]
n
a low frame bordering a fireplace to keep in burning logs.
n
a guard over the wheel of a motor vehicle.
Morpheme Breakdown
fend
er
fend
to ward off
er
agent suffix
Etymology
the word 'fender' originates from the verb 'fend', which is an aphetic form of 'defend', meaning to ward off or protect. the agent suffix '-er' was added, creating a noun for an object that performs the action of warding off. initially used for a metal guard placed before a fireplace to keep sparks and logs from rolling into the room, the term was logically extended in the age of automobiles to denote the metal guard over a wheel, which wards off mud and debris.
Analysis
Structure: fend (to ward off) + er (agent suffix)
fend (from middle english fenden, short for defenden, meaning "to defend or ward off", of latin origin via old french). er (agent noun suffix, from old english -ere, of germanic origin).
Examples
the classic car had a beautifully polished chrome fender.
she accidentally scraped the fender of her car against the parking post.
a wrought-iron fender protected the rug from flying embers.