career
UK[kəˈrɪə(r)]US[kəˈrɪr]
n
An occupation undertaken for a significant period of a person's life and with opportunities for progress.
n
The general course or progression of one's working life or one's public life.
v
To move swiftly and in an uncontrolled way.
Etymology
The word 'career' entered English in the 16th century from the French 'carrière', meaning 'racecourse' or 'a running'. The French term itself evolved from the Late Latin 'carraria (via)', signifying 'a road for wheeled vehicles', which derives from 'carrus', a Celtic-derived Latin word for a wagon or cart. The original sense of a path or course for racing led to the metaphorical extension in the 19th century to denote one's course or progress through life, particularly in professional or public life. The verb sense, 'to move swiftly', retains the older connection to rapid motion along a path.
Analysis
The word 'career' is a simplex loanword from French, where its spelling and form were adopted as a whole unit. Its ultimate origin is the Latin 'carraria' (via) meaning 'road for vehicles', from 'carrus' meaning 'wheeled vehicle'.
Examples
She chose a career in medicine.
His political career spanned over four decades.
The car careered off the road and into a ditch.