Discolorer

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Something that causes a surface or material to lose its original color or become stained
2. An agent or substance that marks or dulls the appearance of something by changing its hue
3. Anything that produces unwanted color changes or blemishes on a previously uniform surface

Etymology: "Discolorer" is a plain agent noun built from "discolor" and the suffix "-er," meaning one who or that which discolors. "Discolor" itself is formed from the prefix "dis-," expressing reversal or removal, and "color," so the word literally names something that takes color away or alters it. The pattern is ordinary English word-building, so the interest lies in the parts rather than in any dramatic turn of meaning. The prefix deserves a closer look, since "dis-" in "discolor" carries its usual sense of undoing or depriving, as in "disarm" or "dishonor." The base "color" came into English through Old French from Latin "color," a word for hue or complexion, so the whole chain is a blend of a Latin prefix-and-root pairing with the English suffix "-er" added at the end.

Synonyms: discolourer