Boy
[bɒɪ] or [bɔɪ]
Definition
(noun.) (ethnic slur) offensive and disparaging term for Black man; 'get out of my way, boy'.
(noun.) a friendly informal reference to a grown man; 'he likes to play golf with the boys'.
Typed by Jaime--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) A male child, from birth to the age of puberty; a lad; hence, a son.
(v. t.) To act as a boy; -- in allusion to the former practice of boys acting women's parts on the stage.
Edited by Janet
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. Lad, stripling, male child.
Editor: Vince
Definition
n. a male child: a lad: a young man generally used for 'man' in Ireland and elsewhere: (Shak.) a camp-follower: (obs.) knave: a native servant in South India China a male negro slave or native labourer in the South Seas.—v.t. to play the boy.—n. Boy′hood.—adj. Boy′ish.—adv. Boy′ishly.—n. Boy′ishness.—Boy's love a popular name for southernwood; Boy's play trifling.
Editor: Orville
Examples
- The boy's eyes had lighted with pleasure as I spoke, and I saw him glance from his rusty trappings to the magnificence of my own. Edgar Rice Burroughs. The Gods of Mars.
- When that man was a boy, he went to Westminster School. Charles Dickens. Hard Times.
- Why, I am a boy, sir, to half a dozen old codgers here! Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will not fit the lock. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.
- I was admiring the boy's handsome dark eyes, when the mother, young Mrs. Leigh, entered. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- And as this,' he added, after these magnanimous words, 'is not a fit scene for the boy--David, go to bed! Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- The gal's manners is dreadful vulgar; and the boy breathes so very hard while he's eating, that we found it impossible to sit at table with him. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- And how are you, my dear boy? Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- Young lady, if my master don't fall out with me, I'll look down by the kiln by and by, where the boy will be most like, and again in the morning! Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- This boy must be bound, out of hand. Charles Dickens. Great Expectations.
- Get some more port, Bowls, old boy, whilst I buzz this bottle here. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- I despatched the first woman-servant I could find to Rosanna's room; and I sent the boy back to say that I myself would follow him with the boot. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- Mr. Trabb's boy was the most audacious boy in all that country-side. Charles Dickens. Great Expectations.
- The boy gathers up his change and has pulled the door open by a leather strap nailed to it for the purpose, when Venus cries out: 'Stop him! Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- The boy, Hexam, was training for and with a schoolmaster. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- She was dressed in blue, with woollen yellow stockings, like the Bluecoat boys. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- As for society, he was carried every other day into the hall where the boys dined, and there sociably flogged as a public warning and example. Charles Dickens. Oliver Twist.
- He had met her before breakfast as he was returning from a walk with his little boys, when it had been just beginning to rain. Jane Austen. Emma.
- We loved each other about as boys generally do,--off and on, and in general;--he was my father's pet, and I my mother's. Harriet Beecher Stowe. Uncle Tom's Cabin.
- Young boys have been smothered in chimneys before now,' said another gentleman. Charles Dickens. Oliver Twist.
- The papers were then brought home again, and the boys amused themselves to their hearts' content until the line was pulled down by a stray cow wandering through the orchard. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- Bless his dear heart, he's been doing it all his life--helping poor boys, I mean, not getting rich, that he'll never be. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- Teach these boys and girls nothing but Facts. Charles Dickens. Hard Times.
- I must help my boys first, because, even for you, I may not break my word to Minna. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- My Dear Mentor, Please make my adieux to your aunt, and exult within yourself, for 'Lazy Laurence' has gone to his grandpa, like the best of boys. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- Wal, boys, the best way is to give him the flogging to do, till he gets over his notions. Harriet Beecher Stowe. Uncle Tom's Cabin.
- The post-boys wondered at the fees he flung amongst them. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- The boy--not being able to make up his mind, at the moment--hung about among some other boys, staring at the good things in the eating-house window. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- Hanging about the doorway (I fancied,) were slouchy Pompeiian street-boys uttering slang and profanity, and keeping a wary eye out for checks. Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
- My dear boys, what are you thinking about? Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
Edited by Elise