Narrowers

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A person or thing that makes something narrower or less wide
2. an individual or device that reduces the width of an object or space
3. a term for a specific role in a design or manufacturing context that involves limiting dimensions

Etymology: "Narrowers" is simply the plural of "narrower," a noun for a component or tool that limits dimensions in a design or manufacturing setting. The base word is the ordinary adjective "narrow," which comes from Old English "nearu," meaning close or confined. The added "-er" suffix is an old one: it passed into English through Old English "-ere," which in turn traces back to the Latin "-arius," a suffix used to form nouns and adjectives denoting a person or thing connected with something. Over time it became a productive way to turn adjectives into agent-like nouns, and "narrower" follows that pattern, building a thing that narrows. The plural form simply adds "-s" to mark several such items, as in any regular English noun. Because the term is a transparent formation from "narrow" plus "-er," its meaning follows directly from its parts: anything that makes something narrower.

Synonyms: constrictors, reducers, tighteners, squeezers, compressors