keepern.
/ˈkiːpə/, U.S. /ˈkipər/ One who or that which keeps.
I. From transitive senses of the verb.† 4. One who keeps a mistress. Obsolete.
1. † e. A nurse; one who has charge of the sick.
a. One who has charge, care, or oversight of any person or thing; a guardian, warden, custodian.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > care, protection, or charge > [noun] > one who looks after > guardian or custodian
herd971
wardena1290
keepera1300
yemerc1330
looker1340
tutor1377
actorc1384
conservator1447
custosc1450
guardian1477
custodier?c1500
custode1543
guardant1592
custodian1602
supervisor1691
vigilant1822
a1300 Cursor Mundi 1096 Quen was i keper of þi child.
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 15812 Ne God wil namore þat þey be Keperes of þat dignete.
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Gen. iv. 9 I wote neuere; whether am I the keper of my brother? [ Coverd. I knowe not: Am I my brothers keper?].
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Deeds xvi. 27 The kepere of the prisoun maad wakyn, and seynge the ȝatis of the prisoun openyd..wolde sle hym silf.
c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (Roxb.) xxiv. 110 [Þai] ware made hirdmen and kepers of bestez.
a1425 (c1395) Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Royal) (1850) Gen. iv. 2 Abel was a kepere of scheep, and Cayn was an erthe tilyere.
c1480 (a1400) St. Matthias 137 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 226 He hyme mad hale kepare of al þe thinge, þat he had in-to gowernynge.
1509–10 Act 1 Hen. VIII c. 17 §1 The Keper of the said great Warderobe for the tyme beyng.
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) viii. 19 Gerarde..demandyd..whether he was kepar of that passage or not.
1570 in J. Cranstoun Satirical Poems Reformation (1891) I. xviii. 37 He was keipar of ȝour commoun weill.
1631 W. Gouge Gods Three Arrowes iii. §65. 304 The Church..is a faithful keeper and preserver of the Oracles of God.
1693 J. Dryden tr. Juvenal in J. Dryden et al. tr. Juvenal Satires vi. 107 Keep close your Women, under Lock and Key: But, who shall keep those Keepers?
1718 M. Prior Solomon on Vanity i, in Poems Several Occasions (new ed.) 405 Untam'd and fierce the tiger..seeks his keeper's flesh.
1810 W. Scott Lady of Lake iii. 115 The herds without a keeper strayed.
b. Forming the second element in many compounds; as ass-keeper, beast-keeper, bookkeeper, bridge-keeper, cash-keeper, chapel-keeper, cow-keeper, deer-keeper, dog-keeper, doorkeeper, gamekeeper, gatekeeper, goalkeeper, green-keeper, hound-keeper, housekeeper, etc., of which those of permanent standing will be found in their alphabetical places.
ΚΠ
c1440 [implied in: Promptorium Parvulorum 251/1 Howskepare, edituus, editua. (at housekeeper n. 1)].
1535 Bible (Coverdale) 1 Chron. x. [ix.] 26 Vnto these foure maner of chefe dorrkepers were the Leuites committed.
1670–1 Act 22 & 23 Car. II c. 25 §1 Bee it enacted..That all Lords of Mannours..may..authorize one or more..Game~keepers..who..may take and seize all such Gunns, Bowes [etc.].
1897 Outing 29 440/2 The old hound-keeper declared that [the bitch] would never come back.
1900 Daily News 3 July 7/5 One piece fell beside the register-keeper.
1900 Westm. Gaz. 14 July 2/3 The street chapel-keeper also wished to desert his post.
c. Special uses: Keeper of the Exchange and Mint n. the Master of the Mint, an office held since 1870 by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Keeper of the Great (†Broad) Seal n. an officer in England and Scotland who has the custody of the Great Seal; in England the office is now held by the Lord High Chancellor. Keeper of the Privy Seal n. (a) in England an officer through whose hands pass charters, etc. before coming to the Great Seal, now called Lord Privy Seal; (b) a similar officer in Scotland and the Duchy of Cornwall. Keeper of the Rolls n. (a) = Master of the Rolls n.; (b) the principal Justice of the Peace in a county, who has the custody of the rolls and records of the sessions of the peace (cf. custos rotulorum n.). Keeper of the Signet n. Scottish an official who serves as custodian of the royal signet (see signet n. 1b(b)) (the Keeper was originally secretary to the monarch; the office is now ceremonial, and is generally combined with that of the Lord Clerk Register; the Keeper is also the senior officer of the Society of Writers to the Signet (see writer n. Phrases 2).)† Keeper of the Touch n. Obsolete see quot. 16072.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > office > holder of office > high officials of state > [noun] > Lord Privy Seal
privy seal1418
Keeper of the Privy Seal1423
clerk of the privy seal1709
society > law > administration of justice > one who administers justice > judge > [noun] > Master of the Rolls
Keeper of the Rolls1423
Clerk of the Rolls1434
Master of the Rollsa1475
1423 Rolls Parl. IV. 257/1 If..the..Keper of the touche afore seid touche ony such Hernois wyth the Liberdisheed.
1454 Rolls Parl. V. 256/2 The Chaunceller of Englond, and the Keper of the prive Seale.
1455–6 Rolls of Parl.: Henry VI (Electronic ed.) Parl. July 1455 §47. m. 14 The office of keper of the rolles of your chauncerie.
1467–8 Rolls Parl. V. 634/1 Hugh Bryce of London, Goldsmyth, keper of the Kyngs eschaunge in London.
1477 Act 17 Edw. IV c. 5 Such and as many keepers of the same Seals, as he shall think necessary.
1517 in R. K. Hannay Acts Lords of Council Public Affairs (1932) 102 The kepar of the signet to direct lettres to my lord of Sanctandrois and all the burrowis..eftir the forme of this proclamacion.
1562–3 Act 5 Eliz. c. 18 (title) An Acte declaring thauctoritee of the L. Keeper of the Great Seale of England and the L. Chancellor to bee one.
1607 J. Cowell Interpreter sig. Pp4v/2 Keeper of the priuy Seale..seemeth to be called Clerke of the priuy Seale.
1607 J. Cowell Interpreter sig. Pp4v/2 Keeper of the Touch..seemeth to be that officer in the kings mint, which at this day is termed the master of the assay.
a1639 J. Spottiswood Hist. Church Scotl. (1655) ii. 100 The Chapter after Levingstones decease made choice of Alexander Inglis Dean of Dunkeld, and Keeper of the Rolls in the time of King Iames the third.
1688 in Colonial Rec. Pennsylvania (1852) I. 230 Thomas Lloyd Keeper of ye Broad Seal.
1749 Scots Mag. Feb. 74/1 The projectors gave written copies to the Lord President, the Dean of Faculty, the Keeper of the Signet, and perhaps to some others.
1788 Monthly Rev. Mar. 197 He was also a Master in Chancery, and Keeper of the Rolls in Chancery-lane.
1863 H. Cox Inst. Eng. Govt. i. vii. 92 The Lord Chancellor or Lord Keeper is..Prolocutor or Speaker of the House of Lords.
1866 Acts Gen. Assembly Virginia 146 The clerk of the house of delegates shall be the keeper of the rolls.
1915 Eng. Hist. Rev. 30 125 The two volumes of justiciary rolls edited by Mr. Mills, the late Deputy Keeper of the Rolls in Ireland, are a monument to his industry and learning.
1998 D. J. Bentley Eng. Criminal Justice in 19th Cent. 20 The lord lieutenant of the county..was invariably the custos rotulorum (keeper of the rolls) of the county bench.
2009 Scotsman (Nexis) 30 Mar. 35 Despite being based in London he continues to monitor Scottish law and remains Keeper of the Signet.
d. An officer who has the charge of a forest, woods, or grounds; now esp. = gamekeeper n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > forestry or arboriculture > [noun] > forester > officer in charge of forest
woodwardc1050
forester1297
ranger1327
walker1482
keeper1488
wood-master15..
grazierc1503
wood-reeve1579
woodman1594
Warden of the Forest1598
rider1647
conservator1733
woodwarden1748
wood-forester1865
the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > gamekeeping > [noun] > gamekeeper
warrener1297
ranger1327
walker1482
underkeeper1502
browser1538
tineman1577
waterkeeper1590
gamekeeper1645
rider1647
preserver1749
garde champêtre1814
field ranger1835
warden1835
velveteens1857
keeper1863
game warden1876
pisteur1936
1488–9 Act 4 Hen. VII c. 6 Stiwards Foresters and other kepers within the Kynges Forest of Ingilwode.
1533 J. Heywood Play of Wether sig. Biii Rangers and kepers of certayne places As forestes, parkes, purlews and chasys.
1602 2nd Pt. Returne fr. Parnassus ii. v. 883 I causd the Keeper to seuer the rascall Deere from the Buckes of the first head.
1648 in S. Tymms Wills & Inventories Bury St. Edmunds (1850) 218 To George Betts, my keeper, five pounds.
1763 Brit. Mag. 4 108 Duke of Kingston, keeper of Sherwood Forest.
1863 C. Kingsley Water-babies i. 18 He did not know that a keeper is only a poacher turned outside in, and a poacher a keeper turned inside out.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > healer > nurse > [noun]
nouricec1225
keeper?c1450
nursekeeper1602
nursea1616
Parabolanus1673
sister1716
nurse-tendera1743
sick-nurse1816
Nightingale1862
Norlander1944
?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 3624 Walstede, he sais, entir with me, For my kepar sall' þou be.
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) ii. l. 366 Quhen Wallace was ralesched off his payn..His trew kepar he send to Elrisle.
1587 A. Fleming et al. Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) III. Contin. 1376/1 In some great extremitie of sicknesse..some honest ancient woman a keeper, may watch with anie of them.
1651 R. Wittie tr. J. Primrose Pop. Errours iii. iv. 144 Such as bee sick of feavers, for whom principally keepers are provided.
f. Cricket. A wicket-keeper.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > cricketer > [noun] > wicketkeeper
keeper1752
stopper1752
wicketkeeper1752
stumper1773
wicket-keep1867
Aunt Sally1898
1752 Game at Cricket in New Universal Mag. Nov. 581/2 When the ball has been in hand by one of the keepers or stoppers.
1868 John Lillywhite's Cricketers' Compan. (ed. 24) 49 The best ‘keeper’ who ever stood behind a wicket.
1920 P. F. Warner Cricket Reminisc. 156 The best ‘keeper’ in England.
1926 H. Strudwick 25 Years behind Stumps 244 There were very few, if any, better keepers than the Notts man.
1927 Observer 29 May 28/1 A ‘keeper’..who combines batsmanship with all the ‘Aunt Sally's’ excellencies.
1975 Cricketer May 9/2 A tall 'keeper's rise from his crouch is less rapid than a smaller man's.
g. Association Football. A goal-keeper.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > characteristics of team ball games > [noun] > players or positions
wing-back1734
goalkeeper1789
outfielder1855
quarter1857
centre fielder1865
outfield1867
quarterback1867
right1867
centre1868
left wing1871
left-back1873
left half-back1873
centre forward1874
left-centre1877
right-centre1877
centre back1878
centre half-back1879
forward1879
back1880
right wing1880
right half-back1881
goaltender1882
right-winger1882
wing1882
centre half1884
left winger1884
inside1886
half1887
custodian1888
left half1888
midfielder1888
left wing1889
right half1889
centreman1890
midfield1890
outside right1890
outfieldsman1891
goalie1894
winger1896
infield1897
inside forward1897
inside right1897
outside forward1897
outside1898
outside left1900
rearguard1904
pivot1911
wing-man1942
keeper1957
link1958
linkman1963
midfield1976
1957 J. Milburn Golden Goals 140 (caption) Milburn rates Ditchburn among the greatest 'keepers he has ever faced.
1974 Oxf. Mail 21 Aug. 16 (caption) Bicester's Phillip Pratt (10) heads the ball past Thame keeper Micky Taylor for his second goal.
2. One who observes or keeps a command, law, promise, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > carrying out > observance or carrying out a promise, law, etc. > [noun] > one who
keeper1382
observanta1500
observator1502
observer1550
the mind > language > speech > agreement > observance > [noun] > one who observes or keeps
keeper1382
observanta1500
observator1502
observer1550
redeemer1552
observatrix1653
society > authority > subjection > obedience > [noun] > obedience to rule(s) > one who
keeper1382
tercel-gentle1597
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Ezek. xliv. 8 Ȝe han putte keepers of myn obseruances in my sayntuarie to ȝour self.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection ii. sig. Ovi He calleth the kepers of the commaundementes his frendes.
1625 F. Bacon Ess. (new ed.) 63 For Boldnesse is an ill keeper of promise.
a1796 R. Burns Poems & Songs (1968) I. 64 I am a keeper of the law In some sma' points, altho' not a'.
1875 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) III. 428 From being a keeper of the law he is converted into a breaker of it.
3. One who owns or carries on some establishment or business.Often the second element in combinations, as alehouse-keeper, hotel-keeper, lodging-house keeper; innkeeper n., shopkeeper n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > providing or serving drink > [noun] > inn or tavern keeping > innkeeper
tappera1000
tapsterc1000
wifeOE
taverner1340
gannekerc1380
tippler1396
alewifec1400
vintnerc1430
alehouse-keeperc1440
ale-taker1454
innholder1463
cellarman1547
ale draper?1593
pint pot1598
ale-man1600
nick-pot1602
tavern-keeper1611
beer-monger1622
kaniker1630
ordinary keeper1644
padrone1670
tap-lash?1680
ale-dame1694
public house keeper1704
bar-keeper1712
publican1728
tavern-man1755
Boniface1795
knight of the spigot1821
licensed victualler1824
thermopolite1832
bar-keep1846
saloon-keeper1849
posadero1851
Wirt1858
bung1860
changer1876
patron1878
bar-tender1883
soda-jerker1883
bar steward1888
pub-keeper1913
society > occupation and work > worker > workers according to type of work > non-manual worker > businessman > [noun] > owner
keeperc1440
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 272/1 Kepare of an howse, or an howse holdare, paterfamilias.
1495 Act 11 Hen. VII c. 2 §5 To take suertie of the kepers of ale houses of their gode behavyng.
1713 London Gaz. No. 5141/4 Isaac Beckett..Alehouse-keeper.
1851 N. Hawthorne House of Seven Gables iii. 59 A forlorn old maid, and keeper of a cent-shop.
1870 W. M. Baker New Timothy 167 A weakly, aged keeper of a little shoe-store in a village.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > moral evil > licentiousness > unchastity > [noun] > illicit intimacy > keeping mistress or lover > one who keeps a mistress
maintainera1450
keeper1676
concubinator1882
protector1905
1676 G. Etherege Man of Mode i. i. 6 An old doating Keeper cannot Be more jealous of his Mistress.
1712 R. Steele Spectator No. 461. ⁋11 A Man may be a very fine Gentleman, tho' he is neither a Keeper nor an Infidel.
1748 S. Richardson Clarissa IV. xx. 94 The risque of a keeper, who takes up with a low-bred girl.
a1827 W. Hickey Mem. (1960) xviii. 291 He at that time was the professed keeper of Mrs. Cuyler, a great jack whore, without pretensions to manners.
1846 ‘Lord Chief Baron’ Swell's Night Guide (new ed.) 83 Keepers are the sinews of your trade.
5. One who or that which keeps or retains, in various senses of the verb. Also keeper-back.
ΚΠ
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry V f. lxxxi There is no lesse praise to be geuen to the keper then to the getter.
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard II ii. ii. 70 He is a flatterer, A parasite, a keeper backe of Death. View more context for this quotation
a1617 S. Hieron Present for Caesar in Wks. (1620) II. 457 Keepers from Gods ministers, that which they ought to haue.
a1859 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. (1861) V. 105 The best keeper of secrets in Europe.
6.
a. Any mechanical device for keeping something in its place; a clasp, catch, etc. spec. (a) a loop securing the end of a buckled strap; (b) the mousing of a hook; (c) a jam-nut or check-nut; (d) the gripper in a flintlock, securing the flint; (e) the box into which the bolt of a lock projects when shot. (E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech., 1875.)
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > building and constructing equipment > fastenings > [noun] > hasp or clasp
haspOE
claspc1325
snatch1341
clampa1400
clip1488
keeper?1578
keep?1615
?1578 W. Patten Let. Entertainm. Killingwoorth 47 A naro gorget, fastned afore with a white clasp & a keeper close vp too the chin.
1625 in G. Ornsby Select. from Househ. Bks. Naworth Castle (1878) 214 Tape, claspes and keepers.
1667 in J. Barmby Churchwardens' Accts. Pittington (1888) 336 To Tho. Cooper for makeing a keeper for Mr Lambton's pew dore, 2d.
1751 S. Whatley England's Gazetteer at Higham, (Leic.) Great catch-hooks and keepers of silver.
1867 J. Hogg Microscope (ed. 6) i. ii. 84 A gilt iron bar, ledge, or keeper, serves for an object-rest.
1888 Sci. Amer. LVIII. 408/1 A glove fastener has been patented... It has a cylindrical keeper with one lower edge struck up to form a lip.
1888 Sci. Amer. LVIII. 408/1 A keeper with a slot in its upper surface adapted to receive the latch and tongue [of a glove fastener].
b. A bar of soft iron placed across the poles of a horseshoe magnet to prevent loss of power; an armature.Also, one of the lateral projections attached to the poles of an electro-magnet to bring these into close proximity to the revolving armature; a shoe (E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. Suppl. 1884).
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > magnetism > magnetic devices or materials > [noun] > armature
armour1613
armature1747
keeper1837
1837 D. Brewster Treat. Magnetism 312 The weight was carefully removed, so as not to displace the armature or keeper.
c1860 M. Faraday Var. Forces Nature v. 133.
1868 J. N. Lockyer Elem. Lessons Astron. 274 A pricker attached to the keeper of an electro~magnet.
c. A ring that keeps another (esp. the wedding-ring) on the finger; a guard-ring.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > types of ornamentation > jewellery > ring > [noun] > guard-ring or keeper
guard-ring1817
keeper1851
1851 H. Mayhew London Labour I. 447/2 A gold ring, a silver ring, and a chased keeper.
1858 Ann. Register 7 150 wedding rings and keepers.
1894 H. Caine Manxman iv. xiv She..hurried every thing into it—the money, the earrings, the keeper off her finger, and then she paused at the touch of the wedding-ring.
d. A simple ring worn in the ears to keep a pierced hole open.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > types of ornamentation > jewellery > jewellery worn on the ear > [noun]
earringOE
earlet1610
ear-bob1648
top1703
rose drop1707
ear-drop1720
snap1748
ear hoop1779
ear stud1817
ear-plug1820
girandole1825
stud1831
stud earring1873
ear-piercing1896
sleeper1896
pierced earring1914
earclip1940
keeper1960
1960 Woman's Realm 2 Apr. 69/3 Pure gold keeper rings to keep the ear-piercing open, ready for the first real earrings.
1968 K. O'Hara Bird-cage vii. 55 1 pair gold keeper ear-rings.
II. From intransitive senses of the verb.
7. One who continues or remains at a place.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > absence of movement > [noun] > remaining as opposed to going > one who
bider1535
remainer1565
stayer1591
keeper1611
lingerer1744
1611 Bible (King James) Titus ii. 5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home. View more context for this quotation
8. A fruit, or other product, that keeps (well or ill).
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > fruit and vegetables > [noun] > that keeps well
laster1547
keeper1843
1843 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 4 ii. 389 An excellent apple, and good keeper.
1892 Garden 27 Aug. 178 The best Apple..splendid keeper, will last until May.
1892 Seed Catalogue Royal Ash-leaf kidney [potato], heavy cropper and good keeper.
Derivatives
ˈkeepering n. the work of a gamekeeper.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > gamekeeping > [noun]
warrenership1485
gamekeeping1709
keepering1861
1861 Baily's Monthly Mag. Jan. 185 His keepering consisted..in an amiable crusade..against ‘them darned rats’.
1892 J. Wilkins Autobiogr. Eng. Gamekeeper i. i. 13 It made me take a liking for keepering.
1963 P. MacTyre Fish on Hook iii. 48 Wynrame isn't much of a hand at the keepering.
1971 Country Life 12 Aug. 363/3 A shepherd..deplored the increase in the depredations of the fox, since, he said, ‘keepering’ had gone out of fashion.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1901; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
keeperv.
/ˈkiːpə/, U.S. /ˈkipər/ transitive. To look after as a gamekeeper.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > gamekeeping > keep as gamekeeper [verb (transitive)]
keeper1958
1958 Times 13 Sept. 9/3 The full benefits of hand-rearing can be enjoyed only on ground which is adequately keepered.
1961 R. Jefferies Evidence of Accused i. 9 If the estate were keepered..it would become a rattling good shoot.
1971 Country Life 23 Sept. 766/3 In recent years this chalk-stream water [sc. River Itchen] has been well keepered and only lightly fished by a maximum of three rods.
Derivatives
ˈkeepered adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > gamekeeping > [adjective]
keepered1921
1921 Chambers's Jrnl. Sept. 388 An estate well-preserved and well-keepered.
1972 Times 7 Aug. 22/3 (advt.) Keepered partridge and pheasant shoot.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1976; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.a1300
v.1921