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  • fer
    fer
    preposition
  • -fer
    -fer
    a combining form meaning “that which carries” the thing specified by the initial element, used in the formation of compound words.

fer

1 American  
[fur, fer] / fɜr, fər /

preposition

Informal.
  1. for.


-fer 2 American  
  1. a combining form meaning “that which carries” the thing specified by the initial element, used in the formation of compound words.

    aquifer; conifer; foraminifer.


-fer British  

combining form

  1. indicating a person or thing that bears something specified

    crucifer

    conifer

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of fer1

A phonetic spelling representing the pronunciation of this word in dialectal speech

Origin of -fer2

From Latin, derivative of ferre “to carry, support, bear,” in Latin generally forming adjectives; the corresponding English adjectives add -ous; see bear 1, -ferous

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

This particular grape was fer servadou, a variety that to my knowledge I had never tried.

From New York Times Mar. 21, 2022

Well out here in Durango, it ain’t fit fer a fella.

From Washington Post Oct. 4, 2018

“Am . de . fer . - however you say it,” she said.

From Washington Times Dec. 16, 2017

“Am . de . fer . — however you say it,” she said.

From Seattle Times Dec. 15, 2017

“You air a fair cook fer yore years.”

From "Across Five Aprils" by Irene Hunt

The following nouns in -er are declined like puer: adulter, adulterer; gener, son-in-law; Līber, Bacchus; socer, father-in-law; vesper, evening; and compounds in -fer and -ger, as signifer, armiger.

From New Latin Grammar by Charles E. (Charles Edwin) Bennett

The following however, are declined like tener: asper, rough; lacer, torn; līber, free; miser, wretched; prōsper, prosperous; compounds in -fer and -ger; sometimes dexter, right.

From New Latin Grammar by Charles E. (Charles Edwin) Bennett

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