goalkeepern.
/ˈɡəʊlˌkiːpə/, U.S. /ˈɡoʊlˌkipər/ In various team sports: a player whose principal duty is to defend a goal by attempting to prevent the ball or puck from entering it; the position of such a player. Cf. keeper n. 1g, goalie n., goaltender n.In many sports the goalkeeper is the subject of a number of rules or regulations which do not apply to the other players in a team, giving a player in this position unique rights, such as being allowed to use his or her hands to block or deflect the ball, puck, etc., in a particular area of the pitch, rink, etc., and often requiring the player to wear additional protective equipment.
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
1789 C. Vallancey Vocab. Lang. Forth & Bargie in Trans. Royal Irish Acad. 1788 2 Antiquities 39 The goal-keeper trembling, said well 'twas intended them.
1867 Sheffield Football Assoc. Rules Any player between an opponent's goal and goalkeeper (unless he has followed the ball there), is offside and out of play.
1886 Football, Lacrosse, Rounders: Laws 26 The goal-keeper [in lacrosse]..may put away with his hand or foot, or block the ball in any manner with his crosse or body.
1944 T. S. C. Dagg Hockey in Ireland i. 42 The ball was ‘pucked’ or driven in the field by the goalkeeper or other appointed player.
1987 Washington Post (Nexis) 12 Nov. m8 He showed up and asked if he could play goalkeeper.
2011 N.Y. Times 15 May (Late ed.) (Sports section) 7/1 ‘It was a rocket,’ said one journalist who witnessed the soccer ball blurring past the diving goalkeeper.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2016; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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