01 n. A male child, from birth to the age of puberty; a lad; hence, a son.
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1.
A male child, from birth to the age of puberty; a lad; hence, a son.“My only boy fell by the side of great Dundee.” — Sir W. Scott.
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2.
In various countries, a male servant, laborer, or slave of a native or inferior race; also, any man of such a race; -- considered derogatory by those so called, and now seldom used.[derog.]“He reverted again and again to the labor difficulty, and spoke of importing boys from Capetown.” — Frances Macnab.
Phrases & compounds
Boy bishop —
a boy (usually a chorister) elected bishop, in old Christian sports, and invested with robes and other insignia. He practiced a kind of mimicry of the ceremonies in which the bishop usually officiated.
The Old Boy —
the Devil.
Yellow boys —
guineas.
Boy's love —
a popular English name of Southernwood (Artemisia abrotonum); -- called also lad's love.
Boy's play —
childish amusements; anything trifling.