slow-cooker
UK[ˈsləʊ ˌkʊkə]US[ˈsloʊ ˌkʊkər]
n
An electrical cooking pot used to cook food slowly at a low temperature over a long period.
Morpheme Breakdown
slow
cook
er
slow
adjective
cook
verb
er
noun suffix
Etymology
The term "slow-cooker" is a modern English compound noun, transparently constructed from its descriptive components. The adjective "slow," with Proto-Germanic origins meaning sluggish or not quick, modifies the action of the verb "cook," derived from the Latin coquere meaning to boil or ripen. The agent suffix "-er," of Germanic origin, is attached to indicate an instrument or device. Thus, the word's logic is entirely literal: a "thing that cooks slowly," directly reflecting its function as a kitchen appliance designed for prolonged, low-temperature braising and stewing.
Analysis
Structure: slow (adjective) + cook (verb) + er (noun suffix)
- slow: From Old English slāw (inactive, sluggish), functioning as an adjective describing the rate or speed.
- cook: From Latin coquus (cook), via Old English cōc, functioning as a verb root meaning to prepare food with heat.
- er: From Old English -ere, an agent noun suffix indicating a person or thing that performs an action.
Examples
She prepared a hearty beef stew in her slow-cooker before leaving for work.
For best results, the recipe requires a slow-cooker set on low for eight hours.
Modern slow-cookers often come with programmable timers and multiple heat settings.