Exchanger

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. An individual or organization that engages in the transfer of items, currency, or information between different parties for various purposes
2. A person or entity that takes part in transactions involving the swapping of commodities, money, or data to benefit all involved
3. A party involved in the process of trading goods, money, or data between different individuals or entities for mutual advantage

Etymology: The noun "exchanger" is a plain formation: the verb "exchange" with the agent suffix "-er" attached, meaning one who exchanges. What makes the suffix interesting is how long it has been travelling. The ending comes from the Latin "-ārius," which passed through Old French "-ier" into Middle English "-er," and it also has an inherited line through Proto-Germanic and Old English "-ere," so the two routes converged on the same sound in English. The verb it attaches to, "exchange," came into English from Anglo-Norman and Old French "eschange," itself rooted in the Latin prefix "ex-" meaning "out" and the idea of changing or barter. So "exchanger" is literally "one who changes out" or "one who swaps," a meaning that fits the modern sense of a party trading goods, money, or data.

Synonyms: trader, swapper, broker, converter, intermediary

Antonyms: holder, retainer, keeper, possessor, saver