incinerator
UK: ɪnˈsɪnəreɪtə | US: ɪnˈsɪnəreɪtər
n. a furnace or device for burning waste materials to ashes
n. a machine or facility designed to destroy refuse by high-temperature combustion
The word "incinerator" traces back to Latin cinis (ash), combined with the intensive prefix in- and the agentive suffix -ator. The root ciner reflects the core function of the device—reducing materials to ash. The suffix -ator (from Latin -ator) marks it as a tool or machine. Historically, the term emerged in the 19th century alongside industrial waste management, emphasizing controlled combustion.
The city installed a new incinerator to handle medical waste safely.
Toxic emissions from the old incinerator raised environmental concerns.
Modern incinerators convert heat energy into electricity.
Protesters demanded stricter regulations for the factory’s incinerator.
The incinerator reduced the landfill volume by 90%.