[a. L. cremātor (Tertullian), agent-noun f. cremāre; see CREMATE.]
1. One who cremates or practises cremation of corpses.
1881. London Post Off. Direct., 1553 (Trades Division) Cremators.
1884. Pall Mall Gaz., 1 May, 2/1. It is the boast of the skilful cremator that under his supervision the contents of the barrel are never exposed to view.
1885. Academy, 16 May, 342/3. It is erroneous to describe the aborigines of British Columbia as cremators. Only a few of the Northern tribes burn their dead.
2. A crematory furnace: a. for the combustion of rubbish; b. for the cremation of dead bodies.
1877. Chr. World, 12 Oct., 1/2. Models of hospitals, sewer works, and cremators.
1881. Scribn. Mag., XXII. 799/2. To enable the housekeeper to dispose of the refuse in a quick and cleanly manner, a small cremator, or destructor, has been introduced.
1883. Pall Mall Gaz., 5 Dec., 10/2. The furnace, or cremator, built close to the deceaseds house, was on the banks of the River Stour.