Bumper

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈbʌmpə/

Definitions

1. A protective bar fixed to the front or rear of a vehicle to absorb impact ; an unusually large or plentiful quantity of something
2. A guard mounted on a car or other vehicle to prevent damage in collisions ; a very generous or excessive amount, such as a crop or haul
3. A car part designed to reduce damage during crashes ; an outstandingly large or favorable supply or occurrence

Etymology: The word is a plain compound in form: "bump" with the agent suffix "-er", meaning something that bumps. The suffix itself has a long pedigree, passing from Latin "-arius" through Old French "-ier" into Middle English "-er", and it was already present in Old English as "-ere", so the ending is far older than the car. The result is a word built from ordinary parts, with the sense "a thing that bumps" applied to the device that bears the impact. The object it names took shape with the automobile itself. Early motor cars were fitted with a bar at the front and rear to absorb knocks from collisions and from other vehicles, and that bar was the bumper. The name came from the action it was designed to take, so the part was named for what it did rather than what it was made of.

Synonyms: fender, buffer, cushion, shield, barrier

Antonyms: damager, destroyer