ventilator
UK: ˈvɛntɪleɪtə | US: ˈvɛntɪleɪtər
n. a device or machine used to circulate fresh air or provide artificial respiration
n. (medicine) a machine that supports breathing by delivering oxygen to the lungs and removing carbon dioxide
ventilator = ventilate<to circulate air> + or<agent noun suffix>
- ventilate: From Latin ventilare ("to fan, winnow, or air"), derived from ventus ("wind"). The root vent<wind> + ilate<verb-forming suffix> implies the action of moving air.
- or: A suffix of Latin origin indicating a person or thing that performs an action (e.g., "actor," "elevator").
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Latin ventus ("wind"), reflecting its core function of air movement. The suffix -or transforms the verb ventilate into a noun denoting a device that performs the action. Historically, "ventilator" first described architectural features (e.g., windows for airflow) before specializing in medical machinery in the 20th century.
The hospital installed new ventilators in the ICU.
During the fire, the building's ventilator system cleared the smoke.
Modern ventilators are critical for treating severe respiratory diseases.
The engineer designed a solar-powered ventilator for greenhouses.
Without a ventilator, the patient struggled to breathe independently.