clerk
UK: klɑːk | US: klɜːrk
n. 1. An office worker who handles records, accounts, or general administrative tasks.
n. 2. A sales assistant in a retail store.
n. 3. (Historical) A cleric or literate person in medieval times.
The word "clerk" originates from Old English clerc, borrowed from Late Latin clericus (meaning "clergyman" or "scholar"). In medieval Europe, literacy was largely confined to the clergy, so the term evolved to denote anyone who could read and write, especially in administrative roles. Over time, it broadened to include secular office workers and retail assistants. The silent "k" reflects its Old English spelling, preserved despite pronunciation shifts.
The clerk filed the documents meticulously.
She works as a clerk at the local grocery store.
In the 14th century, a clerk was often a monk or scribe.
The hotel clerk checked us in efficiently.
He started his career as a law clerk before becoming a judge.