curber

English

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈkəːbə/

• Audio (General Australian):

  (file)

Etymology 1

From curb (verb) +‎ -er.

Noun

curber (plural curbers)

1. Someone or something which curbs.
   • 1902, William James, “Lectures XIV and XV: The Value of Saintliness”, in The Varieties of Religious Experience: A Study in Human Nature […] , New York, N.Y.; London: Longmans, Green, and Co. […], →OCLC, page 329:

     [T]hey required him as a safeguard against the demon and a curber of other people's crimes.

Etymology 2

From curb (noun) +‎ -er.

Noun

curber (plural curbers)

1. (historical slang) A type of thief who used a ‘curb’ or hooked pole to steal things through open windows.
   • 1977, Gãmini Salgãdo, The Elizabethan Underworld, Folio Society, published 2006, page 33:

     Night was the natural time for the curber’s activities and striking up an acquaintance with a serving maid was an invaluable way of getting a window left open or learning the exact layout of the rooms in the house.