fisherman
UK[ˈfɪʃəmən]US[ˈfɪʃərmən]
n
a person who catches fish, especially as a job or for sport.
Morpheme Breakdown
fish
er
man
fish
aquatic animal
er
person who does
man
person
Etymology
the word 'fisherman' is a transparent compound formed within english from its germanic roots. the first element, 'fish', has maintained its core meaning from proto-germanic 'fiskaz'. the agent suffix '-er', also from old english, denotes a person associated with an action. the final element, 'man', originally meaning 'person' in old english, reinforces the agentive sense. thus, the term literally and logically means 'a person who fishes', a meaning that has remained consistent from its formation to modern usage.
Analysis
Structure: fish (aquatic animal) + er (person who does) + man (person)
'fish' is from old english 'fisc' (fish), of germanic origin. 'er' is an english agent noun suffix, from old english '-ere', of germanic origin. 'man' is from old english 'mann' (person, human being), of germanic origin.
Examples
the fisherman cast his net into the deep water at dawn.
the small village's economy depends heavily on the local fishermen.
he is an avid fisherman who spends every weekend by the lake.