sap|per

sap|per¹ «SAP uhr», noun.

1. a soldier employed in the construction of trenches, fortifications, and the like.

2. a person employed to detect and disarm mines, bombs, and other explosive devices: »

The sappers had not yet examined the rubble and blasted buildings for…booby traps (New York Times).

3. Figurative. a person or thing that saps or undermines: »

The bastions will stand…however much the sappers of successful integration burrow away (Elspeth Huxley).

╂[< sap² + -er¹; patterned on Middle French sappeur]

sap|per² «SAP uhr», noun.

1. a person who removes the sap from wood or trees: »

a maple syrup sapper.

2. a tool for cutting away sapwood.

╂[< sap¹ + -er¹]