hairdresser
UK[ˈheəˌdresə]US[ˈherˌdresər]
n
a person whose job is to cut, wash, and arrange people's hair, especially women's hair.
Morpheme Breakdown
hair
dress
er
hair
dress
direct, straight
er
Etymology
the word 'hairdresser' is a transparent compound formed within english. the first element, 'hair', has ancient germanic roots referring to the filaments on the body. the second element, 'dress', entered english via old french from latin 'directus', originally meaning to make straight or arrange. by the 17th century, 'to dress' had developed the specific sense of arranging or styling hair. the agent suffix '-er' was then appended, creating a term for a person whose occupation is to arrange hair. the evolution from the literal idea of "making hair straight/ordered" to the professional act of cutting and styling illustrates a clear semantic specialization.
Analysis
Structure: hair + dress + er
- hair: from old english 'hǣr', of germanic origin; related to dutch 'haar' and german 'haar'. the noun denoting the mass of filaments growing from the skin.
- dress: from old french 'dresser', based on latin 'directus' (meaning 'direct, straight'). the verb meaning to arrange, prepare, or make straight.
- er: from old english '-ere', of germanic origin; an agent noun suffix denoting a person who performs an action.
Examples
she has an appointment with her hairdresser on friday.
he trained for three years to become a qualified hairdresser.
the salon employs several talented hairdressers.