worshipper
Meaning
a person who worships a god or gods, especially in a religious ceremony or practice.
a person who has or shows great admiration or devotion for someone or something.
Structure
Usage
the temple was filled with worshippers praying silently.
she is a devoted worshipper of the ancient goddess.
he was more a worshipper of money and power than of any spiritual ideal.
Etymology
The word 'worshipper' is a transparent English formation, combining the native English verb 'worship' with the agentive suffix '-er'. The core term 'worship' itself originates from Old English 'weorþscipe', a compound of 'weorþ' (meaning 'worthy, valuable') and '-scipe' (a suffix forming nouns of state or condition, akin to modern '-ship'). Its original sense was 'worthiness, honour, dignity accorded to a person'. The semantic evolution saw it shift from denoting the state of being worthy to the act of ascribing worth or honour, particularly to a divine being. The addition of the agent suffix '-er', a common Germanic formation for denoting a person associated with an action, creates the straightforward meaning of 'one who performs worship'.
Analysis
worship (from old english 'weorþscipe', meaning 'condition of being worthy, honour, dignity') + per (agent suffix, from old english '-ere', from proto-germanic -ārijaz, indicating a person who performs an action)