medalist
UK: ˈmɛdəlɪst | US: ˈmɛdəlɪst
n. a person who has won a medal in a competition, especially in sports
n. (historical) a designer or engraver of medals
medalist = medal<honorary award> + ist<person who does>
- medal: From French médaille, Italian medaglia, ultimately from Latin medalia (a coin worth half a denarius). Originally referred to small coins or tokens, later evolving to denote awards.
- ist: A suffix of Greek origin (-istes), via Latin -ista, used to form nouns indicating a person associated with a specific action or role (e.g., artist, scientist).
Etymology Origin:
The word medalist emerged in the 17th century, combining medal (award) with -ist (agent suffix). It initially described artisans who crafted decorative medals, but by the 19th century, it shifted to emphasize competitive achievement, reflecting the rise of modern sports and awards culture. The morphemes neatly capture the dual historical and contemporary meanings.
She became an Olympic medalist after winning gold in gymnastics.
The renowned medalist designed commemorative coins for the royal family.
Young athletes train for years to become medalists in their disciplines.
The museum exhibited works by a famous 18th-century medalist.
As a three-time medalist, he inspired many aspiring swimmers.