plugger
UK[ˈplʌɡə]US[ˈplʌɡər]
n
A person or thing that plugs something, especially a dentist's instrument for packing a tooth cavity.
n
Informal. A person who works hard and persistently at a task; a diligent worker.
Morpheme Breakdown
plug
er
plug
block, fill
er
agent suffix
Etymology
The word 'plugger' is a transparent compound formed within English from the verb 'plug' and the agent suffix '-er'. The core term 'plug' entered English in the early 17th century from Dutch maritime vocabulary, referring to a stopper for a hole. Its ultimate origins are obscure but likely Germanic, relating to the concept of blocking or filling a gap. The suffix '-er' is one of the most productive in English, directly inherited from Proto-Germanic, used to form agent nouns. Therefore, a 'plugger' literally means 'one who plugs'. This literal sense gave rise to the dental instrument, while the informal sense of a diligent worker evolved metaphorically, suggesting someone who persistently 'fills' a role or works to complete tasks.
Analysis
Structure: plug (block, fill) + er (agent suffix)
plug: From Middle Dutch plugge (peg, bung), of uncertain ultimate origin, possibly related to a Germanic base meaning 'to block'. Functions as the core verb/action root.
er: A native English agentive suffix from Old English -ere, of Germanic origin, used to form nouns denoting a person or thing that performs an action.
Examples
The dentist used a plugger to firmly compact the filling into the cavity.
He's not the most talented player on the team, but he's a real plugger who never gives up.
The company relied on a few dedicated pluggers to meet the ambitious project deadline.