latchkey child

latchkey child
a child who must spend at least part of the day alone and unsupervised, as when the parents are away at work. Also called door-key child.
[1940-45; so called because such a child is provided with a key for getting into the home after school]

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • latchkey child — latchkey kid UK / US or latchkey child UK / US noun [countable] Word forms latchkey kid : singular latchkey kid plural latchkey kids Word forms latchkey child : singular latchkey child plural latchkey children a child whose parents work and who… …   English dictionary

  • latchkey child — latch key child, n. A child who frequently spends part of the day at home without adult supervision, especially a school child who returns home before the parent(s) return from work. Called also {door key child}. [PJC] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • latchkey child — noun a school age child who is home without adult supervision for part of the day (especially after school until a parent returns home from work) • Hypernyms: ↑schoolchild, ↑school age child, ↑pupil * * * noun, pl ⋯ children [count] : a young… …   Useful english dictionary

  • latchkey child — child who is alone at home after school because his parents both work …   English contemporary dictionary

  • latchkey child — noun Date: 1944 a school aged child of working parents who must spend part of the day unsupervised (as at home) called also latchkey kid …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • latchkey child — latch′key child n. cvb a child who must spend part of the day alone and unsupervised, as when the parents are away at work …   From formal English to slang

  • latchkey child — noun a child who is alone at home after school until a parent returns from work …   English new terms dictionary

  • latchkey child — /ˈlætʃki tʃaɪld/ (say lachkee chuyld) noun a child whose parents are absent from home before or after school hours and for whom inadequate childminding arrangements have been made …  

  • Latchkey kid — or latchkey child refers to a child who returns from school to an empty home because his or her parents are away at work, or a child who is often left at home with little or no parental supervision.HistoryThe term refers to the latchkey of a door …   Wikipedia

  • latchkey kid — UK / US or latchkey child UK / US noun [countable] Word forms latchkey kid : singular latchkey kid plural latchkey kids Word forms latchkey child : singular latchkey child plural latchkey children a child whose parents work and who returns from… …   English dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”