Wardships

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A system of protective oversight or guardianship generally applied to individuals or entities needing care
2. A legal status where a person is appointed to manage the affairs of another due to incapacity or lack of competence
3. The office or function of someone who provides stewardship and ensures the well-being of those under their authority

Etymology: "Wardships" is the plural of "wardship", and the word is a simple combination of "ward" and the suffix "-ship". The "ward" part traces back to an Old English root meaning guardian or one who keeps watch, which later gave English the familiar sense of a person placed under another's protection. The "-ship" suffix, from Old English "-scipe", forms nouns denoting a state, condition or office, as in "friendship" or "lordship", so "wardship" names the condition of being a ward. The word has close relatives in other languages. Its cognates include Dutch "waardschap" and German "Wirtschaft", the latter now meaning economy or inn, a pleasing divergence from the legal sense the English word kept.

Synonyms: guardianships, custodies, protections