KEEPER

n. 1 a person who keeps or looks after something or someone. 2 a custodian of a museum, art gallery, forest, etc. 3 a = GAMEKEEPER. b a person in charge of animals in a zoo. 4 a = wicket-keeper. b = GOALKEEPER. 5 a fruit etc. that remains in good condition. 6 a bar of soft iron across the poles of a horseshoe magnet to maintain its strength. 7 a a plain ring to preserve a hole in a pierced ear lobe; a sleeper. b a ring worn to guard against the loss of a more valuable one.