char
UK[tʃɑː]US[tʃɑːr]
n
A person whose job is to do cleaning and other practical tasks in a house or other building.
n
A person whose job is to clean the interior of a building, such as an office or school.
v
To work as a cleaner in a house or other building.
Etymology
The word 'char' is a fascinating example of linguistic clipping and semantic narrowing. It originated in the late 17th century as a shortening of 'charwoman,' a term for a woman hired to do odd jobs by the day or hour. The 'char' in 'charwoman' derives from the Middle English noun 'cherre' or 'charre,' meaning "a turn" of work, which itself likely evolved from the Old English verb 'cierran,' meaning "to turn, to change." The core logic connects the idea of a "turn" of labor to the specific, often temporary, domestic work performed. Over time, the clipped form 'char' became a standalone noun and verb in British and Commonwealth English, specifically denoting the occupation of cleaning, while its etymological link to the concept of a "turn" of work faded from common awareness.
Analysis
This word is a simplex form, a clipped shortening of the word "charwoman." The element "char" itself is a 17th-century back-formation from the earlier "chare" or "char," meaning "an odd job" or "a turn of work," which is of obscure origin.
Examples
She worked as a char for several wealthy families in the neighborhood.
The office hires a char to clean the premises after hours.
He had to char part-time to make ends meet while looking for a job in his field.