tree surgeon
3
5.5
- noun
- /tri ˈsɜrʤən/
- UK
:
arborista
- I'm the tree surgeon.
Examples
-
That summer, I was a tree surgeon's assistant.
Fiction book (1999) -
The tree surgeon said the lightning seared through it, crown, core, and root.
Fiction book (1997) -
I was just calling to see if you remember the name of that tree surgeon we used.
-
"Do you want to be a tree surgeon when you grow up?" he asked.
Fiction book (1999) -
"I work for a tree surgeon."
Fiction book (1999) -
"You'll need a tree surgeon."
Fiction book (1997) -
You're also gonna need a gardener and a tree surgeon.
-
There were gardeners to take care of the gardens and a tree surgeon on a retainer.
-
The tree surgeon expertly trimmed the branches to promote healthy growth.
-
After inspecting the damage, the tree surgeon recommended removing the diseased parts.
Synonyms
5
7.9
A person who cares for trees and treats sick or damaged ones
1
4.8
A person who cuts branches to shape trees and shrubs
A person who grows and cares for trees and small bushes in parks, gardens, or towns
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a specialist who treats trees' is directly derivable from combining 'tree' (the plant) with 'surgeon' (a professional who performs surgical procedures) because the occupational label is transparently extended to a different object. This productive pattern (profession + object) is common across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
The name tree surgeon comes from a clear image: a worker treating a tree like a patient and a surgeon. People began calling skilled tree carers 'surgeons' because they 'operate' on trees by cutting away diseased branches and fixing damage, so today tree surgeon means someone who cares for and repairs trees.