humidor
UK[ˈhjuːmɪdɔː(r)]US[ˈhjuːmɪdɔːr]
n
a container or room for storing cigars or tobacco at a constant level of humidity.
n
a box or jar, often lined with cedar, containing a moist sponge or other device to keep cigars or tobacco from drying out.
Morpheme Breakdown
humid
or
humid
moist, wet
or
Etymology
the word 'humidor' is a modern english formation, directly constructed from existing latin-derived elements. the root 'humid' traces back to the latin adjective humidus (moist), itself from the verb umere (to be moist) and the noun humor (moisture, fluid). the suffix '-or' is a latin agent-noun suffix, commonly used in english to form words for instruments or devices (e.g., 'elevator', 'generator'). the logic of the word is transparent: a 'humidor' is literally "a thing that provides or maintains humidity." it was coined specifically in the late 19th century to name a container designed to keep cigars in an optimally moist environment, directly linking the ancient concept of moisture to its precise modern function.
Analysis
Structure: humid + or
humid (from latin humid-, humidus meaning "moist, wet"; functions as the descriptive root) + or (from latin -or, a suffix forming nouns denoting an agent or instrument; functions as a noun-forming suffix indicating a thing that performs an action or has a quality).
Examples
he keeps his finest cigars in a mahogany humidor in his study.
the cigar shop had a walk-in humidor with thousands of options.
for the cigars to stay fresh, the humidor's humidity level must be carefully regulated.