01 n. One who, or that which, keeps; one who, or that which, holds or has possession of anything.
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1.
One who, or that which, keeps; one who, or that which, holds or has possession of anything.
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2.
One who retains in custody; one who has the care of a prison and the charge of prisoners.
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3.
One who has the care, custody, or superintendence of anything; as, the keeper of a park, a pound, of sheep, of a gate, etc.; the keeper of attached property;“The Lord is thy keeper.” — Ps. cxxi. 6.
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4.
One who remains or keeps in a place or position.“Discreet; chaste; keepers at home.” — Titus ii. 5.
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5.
A ring, strap, clamp, or any device for holding an object in place;
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6.
A fruit that keeps well; as, the Roxbury Russet is a good keeper.
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7.
An iron bar that is placed on the poles of a horseshoe magnet, and held in place there by the magnetic force, to preserve the strength of the magnet when not in use.
Phrases & compounds
Keeper of the forest —
an officer who had the principal government of all things relating to the forest.
Keeper of the great seal —
a high officer of state, who has custody of the great seal. The office is now united with that of lord chancellor.
Keeper of the King's conscience —
the lord chancellor; -- a name given when the chancellor was an ecclesiastic.
Keeper of the privy seal —
a high officer of state, through whose hands pass all charters, pardons, etc., before they come to the great seal. He is a privy councillor, and was formerly called clerk of the privy seal.
Keeper of a magnet —
a piece of iron which connects the two poles, for the purpose of keeping the magnetic power undiminished; an armature; called also keeper.