ranger
UK: ˈreɪndʒə | US: ˈreɪndʒər
n. 1. A person employed to protect or manage a forest or park.
n. 2. A member of a specialized military unit trained for rapid deployment.
n. 3. (Historical) A rover or wanderer.
The word ranger traces back to the Old French ranger ("to arrange, rank"), derived from rang ("row, line"), which itself comes from Frankish hring ("circle, ring"). The sense of "roaming over a defined area" emerged in Middle English, reflecting the duties of forest wardens who patrolled large tracts of land. The military usage (e.g., "Army Rangers") arose in the 17th century, emphasizing mobility and adaptability.
The park ranger guided visitors through the dense forest.
Army Rangers are trained for high-risk missions.
In medieval times, a ranger might have been a skilled hunter.
The ranger reported illegal logging activity.
She aspired to become a ranger to protect wildlife.