goalkeeper
UK[ˈɡəʊlkiːpə]US[ˈɡoʊlkiːpər]
n
A player in sports such as soccer or hockey whose main job is to stop the ball or puck from going into the goal.
Morpheme Breakdown
goal
keep
er
goal
boundary, limit
keep
to seize, hold, observe
er
Etymology
The word 'goalkeeper' is a transparent compound formed from three native English elements. The concept of a 'goal' as an object to be defended in games evolved from its earlier sense of a boundary or limit. Combined with the verb 'keep', in the sense of guarding or protecting, and the agent suffix '-er', the term literally denotes 'one who guards the goal'. This logical construction emerged in the 19th century with the codification of modern team sports like soccer and hockey, perfectly describing the player's specialized defensive role.
Analysis
Structure: goal + keep + er
- goal: From Middle English 'gol', meaning 'boundary, limit'. In sports, it refers to the structure into which the ball must be sent to score.
- keep: From Old English 'cēpan', meaning 'to seize, hold, observe'. In this compound, it means 'to guard or protect'.
- er: An agent noun suffix from Old English '-ere', indicating a person who performs an action.
Examples
The goalkeeper made a spectacular save in the final minute of the match.
She has trained for years to become a professional goalkeeper.
A confident goalkeeper is essential for a strong defensive team.