Definition of keeper

The word "keeper" has roots in Old English, specifically the word "cæpere", which literately translates to "one who grasps". This term referred to individuals who held various roles, such as a guardian of a fortified settlement or a keeper of animals in a farm. The use of "keeper" as a title for individuals managing specific areas or objects, such as a prison or a garden, emerged in Middle English. In medieval times, the term "gaoler" was also used interchangeably with "keeper" for a person in charge of a prison. As English evolved, the use of "keeper" became more widely applied to various positions, including those related to sports, such as a "goalkeeper" in soccer, and even roles like a "record keeper" in an organization. Thus, the word "keeper" has a long and varied history, owing its multiple senses to its Old English roots and the diverse roles it has served in the English language over time.