ˈklasəˌfī(ə)r, -laas-, -īə noun
( -s )
Etymology: classify + -er (II)
1. : one that classifies or sorts ; specifically : a machine or device for separating the constituents of a material (as ore, coal, sand) according to relative sizes and densities thus facilitating concentration and treatment
2. : a word or morpheme used with nouns designating countable or measurable objects or with numerals and often indicating a class to which the object designated by the noun is assignable on the basis of shape or function (as Japanese hon in empitsu ni hon “two pencils”, literally, “pencil two cylindrical-object”, or Chinese pen 3 in san 1 pen 3 shu 1 “three books”, literally, “three origin book”)
3. : radical 2c, determinative II 2