respirator
respirator Lexical Profile
respirator Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A device worn over the mouth and nose to prevent the inhalation of dust, smoke, toxic gases, or airborne pathogens.
"The construction workers were required to wear a respirator when handling the hazardous fiberglass insulation."
A medical machine that helps a patient breathe by providing artificial respiration.
"The patient in the intensive care unit was placed on a respirator to maintain adequate oxygen levels during surgery."
Word Nuance & Usage
Often confused with 'ventilator' in medical contexts; strictly speaking, a respirator is a mask worn over the face to filter inhaled air, while a ventilator is a machine that actively pumps air into the lungs.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the late 18th century from Latin 'respirare' (to breathe again or exhale), combining the prefix 're-' (again) with the root 'spirare' (to breathe) and the agent suffix '-ator' (denoting a device).
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.