reinforcer
|re/in/for/cer|
🇺🇸
/ˌriːɪnˈfɔːrsər/
🇬🇧
/ˌriːɪnˈfɔːsə/
(reinforce)
strengthen
Etymology
'reinforcer' originates from the verb 'reinforce', which comes from the Old French 'reinfors', meaning 'to strengthen'.
'reinforce' evolved from the Old French 'reinfors' and was adapted into Middle English as 'reinforsen', eventually becoming 'reinforce' in modern English.
Initially, it meant 'to strengthen or fortify', and over time it evolved to include the concept of strengthening behavior through rewards.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an agent or event that strengthens or increases the likelihood of a behavior by providing a reward or removing an unpleasant stimulus.
Praise can act as a powerful reinforcer for good behavior.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/17 07:00