char-the first element of charwoman, used to form words designating persons who do cleaning work, etc., as char-boy, chargirl, charlady, charmaid, charman, etc.1902Fortn.Rev. June 1005 For wages..char-boy {pstlg}8.1966Punch 4 May 671/2 Each charboy needs special treatment.1662Fuller Worthies (1840) II. 116 Who, instead of their own servants, use Chair-folk in their houses.1932G. Greene Stamboul Train iii. i. 132 The Hon. Carol Delaine..will play the part of Emmy Tod, the chargirl.1895Westm.Gaz. 11 Aug. 8/1 She had a good post to offer to the charlady.1927E. Bramah Max Carrados Mysteries 109 ‘The old party there’—a comprehensive nod in the direction of the absent charlady.1959Times 18 Feb. 14/4 West Berliners may use them to pay their East Berlin hair dressers, tailors, and charladies.1882Cornhill Mag. 337 Little charmaids.1888Pall Mall Gaz. 10 Oct., The Guards' Memorial is now given over to the charmen.1895Macm. Mag. July 201/1 The charmen (the men who sweep out the House of Commons).1881Goldw. Smith Cowper ii. 24 A char-parson..who walked sixteen miles every Sunday to serve two churches.