lifeguard

Meaning

1. A lifesaver: a rescuer, usually an expert swimmer, employed to save swimmers in trouble or near drowning at a body of water.
2. (uncommon) A bodyguard or unit of bodyguards, a guard of someone's (especially a king's) life or person.
3. A sturdy metal bracket fixed in front of each of the leading wheels of a train to deflect small objects away from the wheels to prevent derailment.

Synonyms

lifesaver

salvor

wrecker

swimming-master

lake-lifeguard

bathing attendant

surf-lifeguard

ocean-lifeguard

pool-attendant

Translations

bagnino

badmeester

Rettungsschwimmer

ναυαγοσώστης

bañero

salva-vidas

socorrista

socorrista

maître-nageur

Strandwächter

sauveteur

maître nageur

Bademeister

maître baigneur

Etymology

Cognate with German: Leibgarde

Cognate with Danish: livgarde

Cognate with Swedish: livgarde

Cognate with Old English: līfweard

In summary

From life + guard, calque of Dutch lijfgarde, where life has the sense of Dutch lijf (“body”) (hence literally “bodyguard”). Compare German Leibgarde (“bodyguard”), Danish livgarde (“bodyguard”), Swedish livgarde (“bodyguard”). Compare also Old English līfweard (“guardian of life”).

Sentences

The park is staffed by an award-winning Jeff Ellis and Associates certified lifeguard team .