Obeyers

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. One who follows the commands or instructions given by another
2. an individual who adheres to rules or regulations set forth by authority
3. someone who accepts and acts upon directives without resistance

Etymology: "Obeyers" is simply the plural of "obeyer," which is formed from the verb "obey" plus the suffix "-er," the common English ending that turns a verb into a noun for one who performs its action. "Obey" itself came into English from Old French "obeir," which traces back to Latin "oboedire," a compound of "ob" (toward) and "audire" (to hear or listen). The literal sense is something like listening toward someone, and that idea of attentive hearing is the root of the modern meaning of submitting to a command. The plural "obeyers" follows the regular pattern for nouns ending in a consonant plus "-er," so no special form is involved. The word describes those who follow rules or orders set by an authority, and its meaning is transparent from its parts, which is why it needs little explanation beyond the verb it comes from.

Synonyms: followers, compliers, adherents

Antonyms: disobeyers, rebels, defiers