zookeeper
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Meaning
A person who manages or looks after the animals in a zoo.
Structure
Usage
The zookeeper fed the lions their evening meal.
She dreamed of becoming a zookeeper to work with endangered species.
The head zookeeper was responsible for the health and well-being of all the animals in her section.
Etymology
The word 'zookeeper' is a modern English compound, formed in the 19th century following the establishment of public zoological gardens. Its first element, 'zoo', is a clipped form of 'zoological garden', with 'zoological' deriving from the Greek 'zōion', meaning 'living being' or 'animal'. The second element, 'keeper', comes from the Old English verb 'cēpan', meaning 'to hold' or 'to care for', with the agent suffix '-er' denoting a person who performs the action. Thus, a zookeeper is literally 'one who keeps or cares for animals in a zoological garden', a transparent and logical description of the occupation.
Analysis
- zoo: Origin: Shortened from 'zoological garden'. Ultimate origin: Greek 'zōion' (animal). Role: Base word, specifying the location/context. - keeper: Origin: Old English 'cēpan' (to seize, hold). Role: Agent noun suffix '-er' added to the verb 'keep', meaning 'one who keeps or guards'.