insufflator
May. 15th, 2026 07:35 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
prettygoodwordinsufflator (in-SUHF-lay-tor, in-suhf-LAY-tor) - n., a device that insufflates.
That is, is used to a) blow (something) in or on, esp. b) blow (air or a medicinal substance) into a body cavity or c) blow fingerprint powder onto a surface without disturbing any prints. That last was, obviously, the one being used by Lord Peter. Inslufflate has another meaning, to breathe or blow upon (someone) as a sacrament act, to symbolize the influence of the Holy Spirit, but that's not done with a device. From Latin īnsufflātus, perfect passive participle of īnsufflāre, from in-, in/on + sufflāre, to blow in/on, but which apparently needed a clarifying additional in/on.
---L.
That is, is used to a) blow (something) in or on, esp. b) blow (air or a medicinal substance) into a body cavity or c) blow fingerprint powder onto a surface without disturbing any prints. That last was, obviously, the one being used by Lord Peter. Inslufflate has another meaning, to breathe or blow upon (someone) as a sacrament act, to symbolize the influence of the Holy Spirit, but that's not done with a device. From Latin īnsufflātus, perfect passive participle of īnsufflāre, from in-, in/on + sufflāre, to blow in/on, but which apparently needed a clarifying additional in/on.
---L.
