pensioner
UK: ˈpenʃənə(r) | US: ˈpenʃənər
n. a person who receives a pension, typically due to retirement or disability
n. (British) a retired person living on a pension
pensioner = pension<regular payment> + er<person who>
- pension: From Latin pensionem (payment), derived from pendere (to pay). Originally referred to regular payments for services or rent, later specialized to retirement income.
- er: Agentive suffix in English, indicating "one who does or receives something."
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Latin pensionem, reflecting the concept of periodic payments. Over time, it narrowed to describe retirement funds in European feudal systems (e.g., royal pensions). The suffix -er (Old English -ere) was added to denote recipients, creating "pensioner" by the 15th century. The term’s evolution mirrors societal shifts from feudal stipends to modern retirement systems.
The pensioner receives a monthly payment from the government.
Many pensioners rely on social security for their livelihood.
The café offers discounts to senior citizens and pensioners.
After working for 40 years, he became a pensioner at 65.
Pensioners often face challenges with rising healthcare costs.