filler
UK[ˈfɪlə(r)]US[ˈfɪlər]
n
a thing or substance used to fill a gap, cavity, or container.
n
a substance used to fill cracks or holes in a surface, especially before painting.
n
material of lower quality or importance used to occupy space or time, such as in a publication or broadcast.
Morpheme Breakdown
fill
er
fill
er
Etymology
the word "filler" is a transparent english compound built from the native germanic verb "fill" and the agentive suffix "-er." the verb "fill" derives from proto-germanic fullijaną, meaning "to make full," which is itself a causative formation from the adjective fullaz ("full"). this adjective traces back to the proto-indo-European root pelh₁- ("to fill"). the suffix "-er" is the standard english agent-noun formative, originating from old english -ere, used to denote one who performs an action. thus, the literal "thing that fills" evolved naturally to describe any substance or item used to occupy space, complete a void, or pad out content.
Analysis
Structure: fill + er
fill (from old english fyllan, meaning "to make full, fill"; functional role: verb root) + er (from old english -ere, an agent noun suffix; functional role: suffix denoting "a person or thing that performs the action").
Examples
use a wood filler to repair the hole in the door before sanding and painting.
the article was just filler to meet the magazine's page requirement.
the comedian used a few filler jokes while waiting for the main act to arrive.