boy

boy [boi]

n.

[ME boie, servant, commoner, knave, boy < ? OFr embuié, one fettered < embuier, to chain < em-, EN-¹ + L boiae, fetters, orig., leather collar for the neck < bos, ox, COW¹]

1. a male child from birth to the age of physical maturity; lad; youth

2. a man regarded as immature or callow

3. any man; fellow: familiar term

4. a male domestic worker or servant: a patronizing term applied esp. by Caucasians to nonwhites

5. a bellboy, messenger boy, etc.

6. Informal a son [Mrs. Dill's oldest boy]

interj.

☆ Slang used to express pleasure, surprise, etc.: often oh, boy!