Keeper

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈkiːpə/

Definitions

1. A person responsible for maintaining, guarding, or taking care of something or someone
2. One who manages the care, protection, or supervision of an object, entity, or individual
3. An individual tasked with the oversight, maintenance, or safeguarding of a person, item, or responsibility

Etymology: The word "keeper" is a plain formation: the verb "keep" with the suffix "-er", which marks a person who does the action. Its ancestor was the Middle English "kepere", and the verb behind it, "kepen", meant to watch over, guard, or take care of something. That sense is still visible in its modern uses, from a zookeeper who looks after animals to a goalkeeper who guards the net. The surprise lies in how loosely the word was used. Over the centuries "keeper" came to name many roles that involve holding or guarding something: a jailer, a warden, a steward of a house, or the custodian of a museum or library. Its meaning stays close to its verb, so almost any job built on watching over property or people can be called by this name.

Synonyms: guardian, custodian, caretaker, steward

Antonyms: abandoner