charity-school

A charity-school provides education and care for orphaned children.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A school for poor children: "charity-school" refers to a type of educational institution, historically established and funded by charitable donations, intended to provide free education and often basic necessities for children from impoverished families.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • In the 18th century, many charity-schools were founded by religious groups to teach orphans to read and write. (A school for poor children that was supported by donations.)
  • The charity-school offered meals and clothing in addition to lessons. (An institution that provided for the basic needs of underprivileged students.)

Advanced Usage

• "charity-school boy/girl": a child who attended such a school.

  • He was a charity-school boy, grateful for the opportunity to learn. (A child from a poor family who received free education.)

• "charity-school system": the network or method of running such schools.

  • The charity-school system was a precursor to modern public education. (The organized approach to providing free schooling for the poor.)

Variants and Related Words

• Charity (n): the act of giving help, especially money, to those in need.

  • The charity donated funds to build a new school. (The act of providing financial assistance.)

• School (n): an institution for educating children.

  • The local school now serves all children, regardless of income. (A place of learning.)

Synonyms

• Free school: a school that does not charge tuition.
• Poor school: a school specifically for children from low-income families.
• Orphanage school: a school for children without parents (overlapping with a charity-school in some historical contexts).

Related Idioms

• "Charity begins at home": a proverb meaning that one should first take care of one's own family before helping others.
  • They donated to the local charity-school, believing that charity begins at home. (A principle of prioritizing local needs.)