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wardship

wardship

9.1
A person, usually a child, who is legally under a guardian's care and control
  • noun
  • /ˈwɔrdˌʃɪp/
  • Formal
translation icon : tutela
  • In cases of wardship, a guardian is legally responsible for the well-being of the minor.

Examples

  • By the time of his appointment, there was a general consensus among policymakers in favor of Indian "self-determination," which, for Myer at least, meant ending wardship and regulation of Indian lives by the federal government.

    Academic text (1991)
  • The Supreme Court, however, assisted significantly in the process, by affirming the "wardship" status of the Indians and by helping Congress obviate the provisions of many treaties.

    Academic text (2004)
  • In the absence of a father, Chandler enjoyed a lively and maverick wardship from the male Fitts.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • The same rights and responsibilities with regard to guardianship, wardship, trusteeship, and adoption of children. (Paragraph f)

    Academic text (1992)
  • The little white cat Belle birthed many litters and died, leaving the wardship of the widow's house to her daughter Candida, who was also furred with snow.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • Noting the treaty relationships with dozens of Indian peoples, even as government agencies cared for these very Indians, Smith found this "double condition of sovereignty and wardship" both troubling and absurd (U.S. House of Representatives 1873, 371).

    Academic text (2004)
  • The court decided to appoint a new guardian to oversee the wardship of the young girl.

  • Many children in wardship benefit from educational support provided by their guardians.

Synonyms

custody
vswardship
  • Formal
333 3.8

Legal right to care for and control a child after parents separate

is the general legal situation of a minor under another's authority not just after separation
guardianship
vswardship
  • Formal
19 4.7

A legal duty to care for and protect someone, often a child

is the legal status focusing on a minor being under another's authority
conservatorship
vswardship
  • Specialized
4 9.5

A court arrangement that appoints a person to manage someone's money and personal affairs when they cannot

is about care and authority for a minor not about court management of affairs

Surface Forms

wardship singular
wardships plural

Morphology

wardship = ward (transparent) = ward + ship

Formed by the noun 'ward' plus the productive suffix '-ship' meaning the state or condition of being a ward, so the meaning is directly derived.

Etymology

Wardship comes from ward meaning 'guard' and the ending -ship meaning 'state' or 'condition', like in friendship, so wardship is the state of being under a guardian's care and authority.