charity-boy

charity-boy

A charity-boy receives a new coat from a kind benefactor.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A boy who is supported by a charitable institution: "charity-boy" refers to a male child who is raised, educated, or maintained by funds from a charity, often in an orphanage or charitable school.
    • Historical context: In British history, a "charity-boy" was specifically a pupil of a charity school, typically a poor or orphaned boy receiving free education and care.
Usage Examples
  • Noun:
    • The charity-boy wore a plain uniform provided by the orphanage. (A boy cared for by a charitable institution.)
    • Many charity-boys from the 19th century went on to become apprentices. (Historical pupils of charity schools.)
Advanced Usage

  • "to be a charity-boy": to be a recipient of charitable support as a child.

    • He was a charity-boy at St. Mary's School, where he received free tuition and meals. (He was supported by charity for his education and upbringing.)

  • "charity-boy's lot": the circumstances or life of a boy raised by charity.

    • The novel describes the harsh charity-boy's lot in Victorian England. (The difficult life of a boy in a charitable institution.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Charity-girl (n): a female child supported by a charitable institution.

    • The charity-girls attended a separate school from the boys. (Girls in a charitable school.)

  • Charity school (n): a school that provides free education to poor children.

    • The charity school was funded by local donations. (A school for needy children.)
Synonyms
  • Orphan: a child whose parents are deceased, often cared for by charity.
  • Foundling: an infant abandoned and cared for by a charitable institution.
Related Idioms
  • No direct idioms exist for "charity-boy", but related phrases include:
    • "Charity begins at home": a proverb meaning one should first care for family before others.
      • Though he was a charity-boy, he later believed that charity begins at home. (He prioritized family care first.)
Note

This term is largely historical and may sound archaic in modern usage. It is primarily found in literature or historical accounts of 18th–19th century British social systems.