Jump To:

• 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.

---

-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

---

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

See Examples For:

fer -fer

If you delight in trying wines from obscure grape varieties, here’s one for you: Rosé d’Enfer is 70 percent pinenc, which is more commonly known as fer.

From Washington Post ● May 5, 2022

“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

A form of baccarat called "chemin de fer" was played by James Bond in the casino scene of the 1962 film Dr No.

From BBC ● Oct. 25, 2017

“Four . . .” said Hagrid, “so it’s one fer each o’ the champions, is it?

From "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" by J. K. Rowling

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