n. 1. One who, or that which, keeps; one who, or that which, holds or has possession of anything. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One who retains in custody; one who has the care of a prison and the charge of prisoners. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. One who has the care, custody, or superintendence of anything; as, the keeper of a park, a pound, of sheep, of a gate, etc.; the keeper of attached property; hence, one who saves from harm; a defender; a preserver. [ 1913 Webster ]

The Lord is thy keeper. Ps. cxxi. 6. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. One who remains or keeps in a place or position. [ 1913 Webster ]

Discreet; chaste; keepers at home. Titus ii. 5. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. A ring, strap, clamp, or any device for holding an object in place; as: (a) The box on a door jamb into which the bolt of a lock protrudes, when shot. (b) A ring serving to keep another ring on the finger. (c) A loop near the buckle of a strap to receive the end of the strap. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. A fruit that keeps well; as, the Roxbury Russet is a good keeper. Hence: Anything perishable that remains in good condition longer than usual. Downing. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

7. An iron bar that is placed on the poles of a horseshoe magnet, and held in place there by the magnetic force, to preserve the strength of the magnet when not in use. [ PJC ]

Keeper of the forest (O. Eng. Law), an officer who had the principal government of all things relating to the forest. --
Keeper of the great seal, a high officer of state, who has custody of the great seal. The office is now united with that of lord chancellor. [ Eng. ] --
Keeper of the King's conscience, the lord chancellor; -- a name given when the chancellor was an ecclesiastic. [ Eng. ] --
Keeper of the privy seal (styled also lord privy seal), a high officer of state, through whose hands pass all charters, pardons, etc., before they come to the great seal. He is a privy councillor, and was formerly called clerk of the privy seal. [ Eng. ] --
Keeper of a magnet, a piece of iron which connects the two poles, for the purpose of keeping the magnetic power undiminished; an armature; called also keeper. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The office or position of a keeper. Carew. [ 1913 Webster ]