mixer
UK[ˈmɪksə(r)]US[ˈmɪksər]
n
a machine or device used for mixing things together.
n
a social event or party intended to encourage people to meet and talk to each other.
n
a person who mixes things or people, especially a person whose job is to combine different recordings of sound into a single recording.
Morpheme Breakdown
mix
er
mix
to combine
er
agent/instrument suffix
Etymology
the word 'mixer' is a transparent compound formed within english from the native verb 'mix' and the agentive suffix '-er'. the verb 'mix' itself has a long lineage, tracing back to old english 'miscan', meaning to mingle or blend. this old english term is cognate with words across germanic languages, such as german 'mischen', and can be traced further back to the proto-indo-european root meik-, meaning "to mix". the suffix '-er' is equally ancient, originating from the old english agent noun ending '-ere'. the combination logically creates a noun denoting "something or someone that mixes", a meaning that has been consistently applied from its early uses for kitchen implements to modern devices and social contexts.
Analysis
Structure: mix (to combine) + er (agent/instrument suffix)
mix (from middle english 'mixen', from old english 'miscan' meaning "to mix, mingle, blend", of germanic origin; related to dutch 'mengen' and german 'mischen'). er (a native english suffix from old english '-ere', of germanic origin, used to form agent nouns indicating a person or thing that performs an action).
Examples
she used an electric mixer to beat the eggs and sugar.
the university organized a freshman mixer to help new students get acquainted.
he is one of the best sound mixers in the film industry.