walker
Meaning
A person who walks, especially for exercise or pleasure
A device or framework used to support a baby learning to walk or a person who needs assistance walking
Structure
Usage
She is a keen walker and explores the countryside every weekend.
The toddler was unsteady on his feet, so they put him in his walker.
The park was filled with dog walkers in the early morning.
Etymology
The modern English verb 'walk' has a fascinating journey from its Old English roots meaning "to roll" or "to toss." This likely reflects an earlier notion of movement involving a rolling or full stride. By the Middle English period, 'walk' had specialized to its current meaning of moving on foot at a moderate pace. The agent suffix '-er', one of the most productive in English, is then appended to create 'walker', literally meaning "one who walks," a straightforward formation for describing a person or device associated with the action.
Analysis
'walk' is from Old English wealcan (to roll, toss) and wealcian (to roll up, curl), of Germanic origin. 'er' is an agent noun suffix from Old English -ere, of Germanic origin.