ragged school
Definition
Noun: A ragged school refers to a type of charitable school established in 19th-century Britain that provided free education, clothing, and sometimes food for poor or destitute children. The term "ragged" comes from the ragged or tattered clothing often worn by these children.
Usage Examples
- (A school for poor children in a poor urban area.)
- (Charitable schools funded by private contributions.)
- (These institutions eventually became part of the state education system.)
Advanced Usage
"Ragged school movement": the broader social and educational reform effort that established these schools.
- The ragged school movement gained momentum in the 1840s, driven by religious and humanitarian groups. (The campaign to create schools for poor children.)
"Ragged school union": an organization that coordinated multiple ragged schools.
- The London Ragged School Union helped standardize teaching methods across the city. (A central body managing several such schools.)
Variants and Related Words
Ragged (adj): torn, worn, or tattered; also, of poor quality or uneven.
- The child wore a ragged coat to school. (A coat in very poor condition.)
Raggedness (n): the state of being ragged or uneven.
- The raggedness of the children's clothes was a sign of their poverty. (The tattered condition of their clothing.)
Synonyms
- Charity school: a school run by charitable organizations for poor children.
- Free school: a school that does not charge tuition, often for the needy.
Related Idioms
"Ragged edge": a state of being on the verge of failure or poverty.
- The family lived on the ragged edge, barely able to afford food. (Living in extreme poverty or insecurity.)
"Run ragged": to be exhausted or overworked.
- The teacher was run ragged by the large class of unruly children. (Exhausted from constant effort.)