bodybuilder

noun

Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *bʰewdʰ- Proto-West Germanic *bodag Old English bodiġ Middle English bodi English body Proto-West Germanic *buþlijan Old English bytlan Middle English bylden Proto-Indo-European *-yósder. Proto-Italic *-āzijos Latin -āriusnom. Latin -āriusbor. Proto-Germanic *-ārijaz Proto-West Germanic *-ārī Old English -ere Middle English -ere Middle English byldere English builder English bodybuilder From body + builder.

1. A person who uses diet and exercise to build an aesthetically muscular physique, in order to compete in bodybuilding.

   “Physique of powerful bodybuilder (below) is like piece of sculpture. Buffs strive for the well-rounded body, disdain the professional weightlifter, who merely develops a number of very specialized muscles.”

   “Because it is necessary for a muscle to rest while it grows and because of the importance of balanced development, most competitive bodybuilders train on a split routine; they work certain parts of the body one day and rest those muscles the next while they work the others, alternating like that six days a week.”

2. Rare form of body-builder (“one who builds vehicle bodies”).

   “COACH BODYBUILDER wanted. Apply omnibus stables, Camberwell.”

   “COACHMAKERS.—Wanted, three IMPROVERS to the bodymaking, all new work. Greenfield and Callaway, bodybuilders to the trade, Milson’s Steam Works, 121, Liverpool-street.”