Custodee

/ˌkʌstoʊˈdiː/ noun

Definition

A person who is under the protection or care of a custodian; someone who is guarded or kept by another.

Etymology

Formed by adding the suffix '-ee' (one who receives an action) to 'custode,' following the pattern of employee, refugee, and trainee—indicating the person being cared for rather than doing the caring.

Kelly Says

While 'custodian' became the common word for the caretaker, 'custodee' would logically be the person being cared for—but it's so rare that most dictionaries don't even list it, showing how language naturally prefers certain word formations over others.

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