Reproducer

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. An object or individual that creates duplicates or iterations of itself or another entity
2. A being or device that generates further copies, either of itself or a distinct work
3. A person or device that produces one or more copies of itself or something else

Etymology: The word is a plain English formation: "reproduce" with the agent suffix "-er" attached, giving a thing or person that reproduces. The verb it grows from has a longer lineage. "Reproduce" came into English from Latin "reproducere," meaning to bring forth again, built from "re-" (again) and "producere" (to lead forward), which itself combines "pro-" (forward) with "ducere" (to lead). The idea of leading something out into view is still visible in the root, which carries the sense of bringing something forth. The suffix has its own path. The ending "-er" descends from Latin "-arius," which passed through Old French "-ier" and reached Middle English as "-er," so the same ending appears in words like "baker" and "teacher."

Synonyms: creator, producer, generator, father, mother

Antonyms: destroyer, eliminator, abolisher