n. 1 a person who gives or donates something (e.g. to a charity). 2 one who provides blood for a transfusion, semen for insemination, or an organ or tissue for transplantation. 3 Chem. an atom or molecule that provides a pair of electrons in forming a coordinate bond. 4 Physics an impurity atom in a semiconductor which contributes a conducting electron to the material. donor card an official card authorizing use of organs for transplant, carried by the donor.
[ ME f. AF donour, OF doneur f. L donator -oris f. donare give ]