wardship
Definition
- Noun:
- State of being under a guardian's care: "wardship" refers to the legal guardianship or protective custody of a minor or someone unable to manage their own affairs.
- Legal authority of a guardian: It also denotes the office or function of a guardian, including the rights and responsibilities involved.
Usage Examples
- (The aunt became the legal guardian and protector of the child.)
- (The son received legal authority to care for his father.)
Advanced Usage
"under someone's wardship": being in the legal care and protection of a guardian.
- The orphaned siblings remained under the wardship of the state until they were adopted. (The state acted as their legal guardian.)
"wardship proceeding": a legal process to establish guardianship.
- The family initiated a wardship proceeding to gain custody of the child. (They began a court case to become the child's guardians.)
Variants and Related Words
Ward (n): a person, especially a minor, who is under the legal protection of a guardian.
- The ward was pleased with her new home. (The child under guardianship was happy.)
Guardianship (n): the position of being a legal guardian; similar to wardship but often used for the guardian's role rather than the ward's state.
Synonyms
- Guardianship: the legal responsibility for someone.
- Custody: the protective care or control of someone, often used for children.
- Protection: the act of keeping someone safe and cared for.
Related Idioms
- "In the wardship of": under the care and authority of a guardian.
- The young prince was in the wardship of his uncle until he came of age. (The uncle had legal responsibility for the prince.)
Phrasal Verbs
- None directly associated. "Wardship" is primarily a legal noun and does not form common phrasal verbs.