milker
UK[ˈmɪlkə]US[ˈmɪlkər]
n
A person who milks cows or other animals.
n
A machine or device used for milking animals.
n
An animal, especially a cow, that is kept for producing milk.
Morpheme Breakdown
milk
er
milk
to draw milk
er
agent suffix
Etymology
The word 'milker' is a transparent agent noun formation from the verb 'milk' and the suffix '-er'. The root 'milk' has ancient Proto-Germanic origins, related to the act of drawing milk from an animal. The suffix '-er', also of Proto-Germanic heritage, is one of the most productive in English for denoting an agent. The compound's logic is perfectly literal: a 'milker' is one who or that which performs the action of milking. This straightforward morphological process has generated terms for people, devices, and productive animals, maintaining a clear and direct semantic link to its core action.
Analysis
Structure: milk (to draw milk) + er (agent suffix)
- milk: From Old English meoluc, milc, of Proto-Germanic origin; the substance or the act of drawing it.
- er: From Old English -ere, an agent-noun suffix of Proto-Germanic origin, indicating a person or thing that performs an action.
Examples
The farmer hired a new milker for the morning shift.
They invested in an automated milker to improve efficiency.
That cow is our best milker, producing over ten gallons a day.