Vaporiser

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A machine that turns liquid into gas for inhalation needs is commonly used for delivering medications in a vaporized state
2. An apparatus designed to transform liquids into a gaseous form to facilitate inhaling of medication or substances
3. A tool that heats or atomizes liquid so it changes into vapor, often used in medical treatments or aromatherapy

Etymology: Vapour comes to English through Old French "vapeur" from Latin "vapor," meaning steam or breath, and the verb "vaporise" was built in English from it by adding the Greek-derived suffix "-ise," which traces back through Late Latin "-izare" to the Ancient Greek verb ending "-izein." The suffix is a mix of routes: the Greek ending passed into Latin and then French, where it became "-iser," and English took it up from there. So the verb "vaporise" is a hybrid, a Latin noun with a Greek-origin verb ending. The noun in question is simpler still. It is formed from "vaporise" plus the English agent suffix "-er," the same ending found in "baker" or "driver." The suffix itself descends from Old English "-ere," which had the same function of naming a person or thing that does an action. So the device is named for what it does: it vaporises.

Synonyms: vaporizer, steamer