A "reaper" is a machine or tool used in agriculture to harvest crops, particularly grains like wheat and barley. It cuts the plants at their base, allowing farmers to collect them for processing. Modern reapers are often part of larger farming equipment, such as combines, which can harvest, thresh, and clean the grain in one operation. In folklore, the term "reaper" is often associated with the figure of the Grim Reaper, a personification of death. This character is typically depicted as a cloaked figure wielding a scythe, symbolizing the end of life. The imagery of the reaper serves as a reminder of mortality and the natural cycle of life and death.