noun
urchin
UR-chin/ˈɜːrtʃɪn/
A child who is poor, ragged, or mischievous.
The novel follows a hungry urchin through the city's streets.
Etymology
Herichun meant ‘hedgehog,’ the original meaning of urchin. The name was extended to people whose appearance or behavior suggested hedgehogs, eventually becoming a term for a ragged child.
In context
… Marcus is an urchin living on the streets and he constantly has to avoid adults who are trying to sexually assault him …
More examples
- The ragged urchin asks the baker for a crust.
- A group of mischievous urchins chases the carriage.
- The narrator uses urchin affectionately for the muddy little boy.
Forms
urchin · urchins
Similar words
- waif
- Emphasizes neglect or lack of a home rather than mischief.
- street child
- Street child describes living circumstances; urchin can be a literary label for a ragged or mischievous child.