gondolier
UK[ˌɡɒndəˈlɪə(r)]US[ˌɡɑːndəˈlɪr]
n
a person who propels and steers a gondola, especially in venice.
Morpheme Breakdown
gondol
ier
gondol
gondola
ier
person who does
Etymology
the word 'gondolier' is a direct loan from the french 'gondolier', which itself was adopted from the italian 'gondoliere'. the italian term is built upon 'gondola', the iconic venetian boat, whose own etymology is debated but may derive from a greek word for a shallow bowl or cup, hinting at the vessel's shape. the suffix '-ier', entering english via french, is a common agentive ending denoting a person associated with a specific object or activity. thus, the term's literal construction is perfectly logical: 'gondola' + 'person who works with' = the person who operates a gondola.
Analysis
Structure: gondol (gondola) + ier (person who does)
gondol: from italian 'gondola', the name of the boat. its ultimate origin is uncertain, possibly from a greek word for a shallow vessel.
ier: a suffix of french origin (from latin -arius), used in english to form agent nouns meaning 'a person concerned with or engaged in'.
Examples
the gondolier expertly navigated the narrow canals while singing a traditional song.
to become a licensed gondolier in venice requires years of rigorous training.
we asked the gondolier about the history of the palaces lining the grand canal.