choirboy

the word is a straightforward english compound, formed by combining 'choir' and 'boy'. 'choir' traces back to the greek khoros, which referred to a band of dancers or singers performing in religious rituals and greek drama. this term entered latin as chorus and subsequently old french before being adopted into middle english. 'boy', of middle english origin, has a more obscure etymology but has long denoted a young male. the compound 'choirboy' logically denotes a young male singer within a choral group, a role historically and still prominently associated with the musical traditions of christian cathedrals and churches.

Structure: choir + boy choir (from old french quer, latin chorus, greek khoros; meaning a company of singers or dancers) + boy (from middle english boi, of uncertain origin; meaning a male child).