volunteer
volunteer
UK[ˌvɒlənˈtɪə(r)]US[ˌvɑːlənˈtɪr]
n
a person who does a job or offers to do something without being forced or paid to do it
n
a person who joins the armed forces without being forced to do so
v
to offer to do something without being forced to do it and without expecting payment
v
to tell someone something without being asked
Morpheme Breakdown
volunt
eer
volunt
will, free will
eer
person who does or is concerned with
Etymology
the word 'volunteer' entered english in the late 16th century from french 'volontaire', which itself derives from latin 'voluntarius', meaning 'of one's free will'. the latin root is 'voluntas', signifying 'will' or 'choice', ultimately from the verb 'velle' (to wish, to will), a core concept of free intention. the suffix '-eer', adopted via french, specifies a person associated with an action. thus, the literal construction 'one who acts by free will' perfectly captures the modern sense of offering services or enlisting without compulsion, maintaining a direct semantic link from its ancient roots to its contemporary use.
Analysis
Structure: volunt (will, free will) + eer (person who does or is concerned with)
volunt: from latin 'voluntas' meaning 'will, free will, choice'.
eer: a noun-forming suffix of french origin (from '-ier'), indicating a person concerned with or engaged in a particular activity.
Examples
she works as a volunteer at the local animal shelter three days a week.
he volunteered to organize the company's annual charity run.
the regiment was made up entirely of volunteers.