conˈditioner
[f. condition v. + -er.]
† 1. One that makes conditions, a bargainer. Obs.
| 1598 Florio, Patteggiatore, a bargainer, a covenanter, a conditioner, a promiser. |
2. a. An agent that brings into good condition.
| 1888 Advt. in Amer. Farmer (Chicago) Dec., Charcoal Powders..A splendid conditioner and medicine. 1954 Webster Add., Conditioner, a substance whose addition to the soil causes aggregation or stabilizes the aggregates already formed and thus improves aeration, workability, and crop yield of the soil. 1960 Woman's Own 19 Mar. 25/3 Dry hair loves nothing better than contact with a cream conditioner. 1961 C. H. D. Todd Pop. Whippet x. 144 The many well-known brands of condition powders are useful as a general and mild conditioner. 1961 Times 30 Mar. 13/6 The best conditioner of a heavy soil for seeding is still the weather. |
b. spec. = air-conditioner.
| 1938 Encycl. Brit. Bk. of Yr. 29/1 This conditioner cools, dehumidifies, circulates, and cleans the air in the room. 1957 ‘F. Richards’ Practise to Deceive (1959) iv. 47 The room was air-conditioned. The conditioner hummed softly. |
3. One who tests the condition of yarn, etc.
| 1921 Dict. Occup. Terms (1927) §398 Conditioner, yarn conditioner, cop conditioner;..dries and weighs samples of yarn, and calculates regain of moisture. |