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• fer
  fer

  preposition

  for.
• -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.

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-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.

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-fer British  

combining form

1. indicating a person or thing that bears something specified

   crucifer

   conifer

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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

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 Bennett, Charles E. (Charles Edwin)

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 Bennett, Charles E. (Charles Edwin)