glider
UK[ˈɡlaɪdə(r)]US[ˈɡlaɪdər]
n
a light aircraft that flies without an engine.
n
a person or thing that glides.
Morpheme Breakdown
glide
er
glide
to move smoothly
er
agent suffix
Etymology
the word 'glider' is a transparent english formation, combining the verb 'glide' with the agentive suffix '-er'. the verb 'glide' itself has germanic origins, descending from the old english glīdan, meaning to slip or slide. this root is connected to a wider proto-germanic family, including old high german glītan and old norse glíða, all conveying a sense of smooth, effortless motion. the modern term 'glider' logically applies this concept of smooth, sustained movement to both aircraft that soar on air currents and to any person or object that glides.
Analysis
Structure: glide (to move smoothly) + er (agent suffix)
glide (from old english glīdan, meaning to slip, slide, move smoothly); er (agent suffix from old english -ere, indicating a person or thing that performs an action).
Examples
the pilot skillfully landed the glider in the open field.
the sugar glider is a small marsupial known for its ability to glide between trees.
he spent the afternoon flying his model glider at the park.