chaser
UK: ˈtʃeɪsə | US: ˈtʃeɪsər
n. 1. a person or thing that pursues or follows another
n. 2. a drink consumed after another (e.g., a mild drink after alcohol)
n. 3. a tool or device used for finishing or smoothing surfaces
chaser = chase<pursue> + er<agent noun suffix>
- chase: From Old French chacier ("to hunt, chase"), derived from Latin captiare ("to try to seize"), frequentative of capere ("to take").
- er: A suffix forming agent nouns (e.g., "runner," "teacher"), from Old English -ere, of Germanic origin.
Etymology Origin:
The word "chaser" emerged in Middle English (14th century) as a term for a hunter or pursuer, directly from the verb "chase." Over time, it expanded metaphorically to include objects or tools that "follow" or "finish" (e.g., a drink after another or a smoothing tool). The suffix -er consistently denotes agency, making the word's logic transparent.
The police officer acted as a chaser, pursuing the suspect through the alley.
He ordered a whiskey with a beer chaser.
The carpenter used a chaser to refine the metal edges.
In mythology, the fox is often portrayed as a clever chaser of prey.
The documentary featured a wildlife chaser tracking migratory birds.