street urchin

Definition

A child who lives, or spends most of their time, in the streets; sometimes a petty thief or pickpocket.

Etymology

First use appears c. 1827 in a publication by Thomas Carlyle.

Example Sentences

• "She ran to the door and there beheld the ragged street urchin calmly playing his organ."
• "On many occasions, groups of street urchins were seen climbing up large trees for squabs of Rose-ringed Parakeets[.]"