The word 'typist' is a modern English formation from the late 19th century, created by combining the noun 'type', referring to the use of a typewriting machine, with the agent suffix '-ist'. The root 'type' has a long history, originating from the Greek 'typos', meaning a blow, impression, or model, which evolved into Latin 'typus' signifying a figure or form. This semantic path from a physical impression to a standard model or character perfectly set the stage for its application to printing and, later, typewriting. The suffix '-ist', borrowed from Greek via Latin, consistently denotes a practitioner, thus a 'typist' logically means "one who practices or works with type," specifically on a typewriter or keyboard.

Structure: type + ist - type: From Latin 'typus' (figure, image, form), via Greek 'typos' (blow, impression, model). In this word, it functions as the base noun meaning the act or product of typing. - ist: A suffix of Greek origin (via Latin '-ista'), denoting a person who performs a specific action or practices a certain skill. In this word, it functions as an agent noun suffix meaning "one who does or works with."