re·cu·per·a·tor \-ˌrād.ə(r)\noun (-s ; see sense 2) Etymology: Latin, literally, recoverer, from recuperatus + -or 1.: one that recuperates 2.also plrecuperato·res\ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷pərəˈtōr(ˌ)ēz\: a judge in ancient Rome originally appointed to hear cases involving foreigners 3.: regenerator 4 4.: a device for returning a gun into the firing position after recoil