wiper
UK: ˈwaɪpə | US: ˈwaɪpər
n. a device or tool used to wipe or clean a surface (e.g., windshield wiper)
n. a person or thing that wipes
vt. (rare) to act as a wiper; to clean or remove by wiping
The word "wiper" derives from the verb "wipe" (Old English wīpian, meaning "to rub lightly") combined with the agentive suffix "-er," which indicates a person or tool performing an action. The term originally referred to a person who wipes, but by the 19th century, it evolved to describe mechanical devices (e.g., windshield wipers) that perform the wiping action automatically. The logic is straightforward: "wipe" + "-er" = "something that wipes."
The car's wipers struggled to clear the heavy rain.
She used a damp cloth as a makeshift wiper for the dusty table.
The robot arm functioned as a wiper, cleaning the factory windows.
He installed new silicone wiper blades for better performance.
The janitor acted as a wiper, mopping the spills in the hallway.