death-bringer - Meaning, Image, Examples & Etymology - Learn English Visually

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death-bringer

|death-bring-er|

🇺🇸

/ˈdɛθˌbrɪŋər/

🇬🇧

/ˈdɛθˌbrɪŋə/

one who causes death

Etymology

Etymology Information

'death-bringer' originates from Modern English, specifically formed from the words 'death' + 'bringer' (the agent noun formed from 'bring' + '-er').

Historical Evolution

'death' comes from Old English 'dēaþ' (dēaþ) meaning 'death', while 'bring' comes from Old English 'bringan'. The agent suffix '-er' is from Old English/Germanic agent-forming patterns; the compound 'death-bringer' is a Modern English compound created by joining these elements.

Meaning Changes

Initially the components meant 'death' and 'to bring'; combined in Modern English they evolved into the compound meaning 'one who brings death' (literal or figurative).

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

a person, creature, or agent that causes death; a killer or executioner (literal).

The tyrant was remembered as a ruthless death-bringer who showed no mercy.

Synonyms

killer slayer executioner murderer

Antonyms

healer life-giver savior

Noun 2

something (such as a disease, weapon, or disaster) that brings about many deaths; a cause of widespread mortality (figurative/extended use).

The plague was seen by contemporaries as a death-bringer that spared no town.

Synonyms