destructor
(dɪˈstrʌktə(r))
[a. L. dēstructor destroyer, agent-noun from dēstruĕre to destroy. In F. destructeur (1420 in Hatzf.).]
1. A destroyer; one who destroys.
| a 1691 Boyle Wks. I. 527 (R.) Helmont does somewhere wittily call the fire the destructor and the artificial death of things. 1882–3 Schaff Encycl. Relig. Knowl. II. 1212 A decree ordered..all destroyed [temples] to be rebuilt at the cost of the destructors. |
2. A furnace or crematory for the burning of refuse. Also attrib.
| 1881 Scribner's Mag. XXII. 799 To dispose of the refuse in a quick and cleanly manner, a small cremator, or destructor, has been introduced. 1885 L'pool Daily Post 7 May 4/8 The abattoir will be a greater nuisance in Greenlane than the refuse destructor. 1891 Daily News 16 July 4/4 Reponsible for the working of the dust destructors. 1892 Pall Mall G. 4 Oct. 2/1 One hundred tons are extracted per week and burned in a destructor furnace. |