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boy

 - 4 dictionary results

boy

  [boi]
Use boy in a Sentence
–noun
1. a male child, from birth to full growth, esp. one less than 18 years of age.
2. a young man who lacks maturity, judgment, etc.
3. Informal. a grown man, esp. when referred to familiarly: He liked to play poker with the boys.
4. a son: Sam's oldest boy is helping him in the business.
5. a male who is from or native to a given place.
6. boys, (used with a singular or plural verb)
a. a range of sizes from 8 to 20 in garments made for boys.
b. a garment in this size range.
c. the department or section of a store where these garments are sold.
7. boys, military personnel, esp. combat soldiers: Support the boys overseas.
8. Disparaging and Offensive. a man considered by the speaker to be inferior in race, nationality, or occupational status.
9. a young male servant; page.
10. Offensive. (in India, China, Japan, etc.) a native male servant, working as a butler, waiter, houseboy, etc.
11. Nautical. an apprentice seaman or fisherman.
–interjection
12. an exclamation of wonder, approval, etc., or of displeasure or contempt.
Origin:
1250–1300; ME boy(e), perh. after OE Bōia man's name; c. Fris boi young man; akin to OE bōfa, ON bōfi, OHG Buobo man's name (G Bube knave, (dial.) boy, lad)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To boy
boy   (boi)   
n.  

  1. A male child.

  2. A son: his youngest boy.

  3. Often Offensive A man, especially a young man.

  4. Informal A man socializing in a group of men: a night out with the boys.

  5. Offensive A male servant or employee.

interj.  Used to express mild astonishment, elation, or disgust: Oh boy—what a surprise!

[Middle English boi, possibly from Old French embuié, servant, past participle of embuier, to fetter.]
boy'hood' n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

boy 
1154, boie "servant, commoner, knave, boy," possibly from O.Fr. embuie "one fettered," from V.L. *imboiare, from L. boia "leg iron, yoke, leather collar," from Gk. boeiai dorai "ox hides." But it also appears to be identical with E.Fris. boi "young gentleman," and perhaps with Du. boef "knave," from M.Du. boeve, perhaps from M.L.G. buobe. Used slightingly of young men in M.E. Meaning "male negro slave or Asian personal servant of any age" attested from 1609. Boyfriend is attested from 1909. Amer.Eng. expression oh, boy attested from 1917.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Idioms & Phrases

boy

In addition to the idiom beginning with boys, also see fair-haired boy; mama's boy; separate the men from the boys; whipping boy.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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