balloonist
UK[bəˈluːnɪst]US[bəˈluːnɪst]
n
a person who flies in a balloon, especially as a sport or for entertainment.
Morpheme Breakdown
balloon
ist
balloon
ist
Etymology
the word 'balloonist' is a modern english formation, combining the noun 'balloon' with the agent suffix '-ist'. the term 'balloon' entered english in the late 16th century from french 'ballon', meaning a large ball, which itself derived from italian 'ballone', an augmentative of 'balla' (ball). this traces back to a germanic source related to the concept of a sphere or round object. the suffix '-ist', borrowed via latin from greek '-istēs', is a prolific agent-forming element. thus, a 'balloonist' literally means "one concerned with or who operates a balloon," a logical and transparent label for a practitioner of ballooning, emerging in the late 18th century following the invention of hot-air and gas balloons.
Analysis
Structure: balloon + ist
balloon: from italian 'ballone' (large ball), via french 'ballon', ultimately from a germanic root related to 'ball'. functions as the base noun denoting the object.
ist: from latin '-ista', from greek '-istēs', denoting a person who practices or is concerned with something. functions as an agent noun suffix.
Examples
the famous balloonist completed a solo crossing of the atlantic.
the festival featured a talk by a veteran balloonist about the history of flight.
she trained for years to become a licensed balloonist.