organist
UK[ˈɔːɡənɪst]US[ˈɔːrɡənɪst]
n
a person who plays the organ, especially in a church or as a profession.
Morpheme Breakdown
organ
ist
organ
instrument, tool, musical instrument
ist
Etymology
the word "organist" is a straightforward compound built upon the noun "organ", which itself has a rich history. "organ" entered english from old french "organe", derived from latin "organum", meaning "tool, instrument", and ultimately from greek "organon", with the same meaning. the greek term is related to "ergon", meaning "work", tracing back to the proto-indo-european root werg-, meaning "to do". the suffix "-ist", denoting a person specializing in an activity, was attached in the late middle english period. thus, an "organist" is literally "one who works with or specializes in the (musical) instrument", a logical and transparent formation that directly connects the practitioner to their instrument of expertise.
Analysis
Structure: organ + ist
organ: from latin "organum", meaning "instrument, tool, musical instrument". functions as the root/base noun.
ist: from greek "-istes", via latin "-ista", a suffix forming agent nouns denoting a person who practices or is concerned with something.
Examples
the church organist has played for the sunday service for over thirty years.
she trained as a concert organist at the royal academy of music.
the famous organist will be performing a series of bach's works this evening.