Charwoman

Origin

Full definition of charwoman

Noun

charwoman

(plural charwomen)

(chiefly British) A woman employed to do housework.

1918, W. B. Maxwell, The Mirror and the Lamp Chapter 17, This time was most dreadful for Lilian. Thrown on her own resources and almost penniless, she maintained herself and paid the rent of a wretched room near the hospital by working as a charwoman, sempstress, anything.

Note: In the nineteenth century, the charlady worked for weekly wages and usually came and went on a daily basis.

Synonyms