Question For Grammar Geeks

[the_gneech]

Is there a name for a noun that's been made out of a verb, e.g., "rider" made out of "ride"?

-The Gneech

Comments

[radbaron.livejournal.com]

As much as I disliked the idea originally of Wikipedia...

Agent nouns
Main article: Agent noun

Agent nouns are usually common nouns (although they may be proper nouns, such as in titles or adopted surnames) that take the form of a subject (typically a person) performing an action (verb). Examples in English are maker (from to make), teacher (from to teach), and actor and actress (from to act).

[kevinjdog.livejournal.com]

I was thinking gerund, but that's a different form of nouning a verb. (As in "Verbing weirds language.")

[huskyteer.livejournal.com]

I immediately thought of gerunds too!

[jayblanc.livejournal.com]

Agent Nouns are a specific case of "Gerundatives", and include words like "Agenda" and "Referendum" which we've almost forgotten originated from verbs.

[maxgoof.livejournal.com]

I believe it is called a gerund.