Decontaminator

/ˌdiːkənˈtæmɪneɪtər/ noun

Definition

A substance, device, or person that removes harmful or poisonous materials from something.

Etymology

From 'decontaminate' + '-or' suffix (indicating an agent or instrument), following the pattern of English agentive nouns like 'calculator' or 'generator.'

Kelly Says

Modern decontaminators can be surprisingly high-tech—from UV light systems that kill bacteria to nano-particles that bind to toxins—yet old-fashioned ones like soap and bleach remain the most effective everyday decontaminators.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.