compiler

C2+ Topic:Technology & Computing

US /kəmˈpaɪlɚ/ UK /kəmˈpaɪlə/ See IPA manual

noun

Meanings

1

noun
one who compiles; a program that translates source code into machine code

The compiler flagged a syntax error on line forty.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · one who compiles; a program... collector editor compositoranthologist

Word family

Related forms compile compilation compiled

Etymology

From compile + the agentive suffix -er. Compile derives from Old French compiler, from Latin compilare ('to plunder, collect together').

compilare Latin

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Technology & Computing Word Formation & Derivatives

# compiler

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2+
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** kəmˈpaɪlɚ
**IPA (UK):** kəmˈpaɪlə

## Meanings
1. one who compiles; a program that translates source code into machine code

## Examples
- The compiler flagged a syntax error on line forty.

## Synonyms
- collector
- editor
- compositor
- anthologist

## Related Forms
- compile
- compilation
- compiled

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: compilare

## Etymology
From compile + the agentive suffix -er. Compile derives from Old French compiler, from Latin compilare ('to plunder, collect together').

## AI Etymology
Compiler comes from compile + the agentive suffix -er. Compile derives from Old French compiler, from Latin compilare ('to plunder, collect together'). The historical trail runs through compilare in Latin. Morphologically, compiler is transparent: it draws on compile + the agentive suffix -er. Used as a noun, compiler now means "one who compiles; a program that translates source code into machine code", so the present definition can be read against the older forms and meanings. The same lexical family is also visible in related forms such as compile, compilation, and compiled. The result is a borrowed or transmitted form whose modern spelling carries a compact record of its route into English.

## Topics
- Technology & Computing
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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