wardship, wardeshyppe

[Eng. ward; -ship.] 1. The office of a ward or guardian; care and protection of a ward; right of guardianship; guardianship. "The wardship consisted in having the custody of the body and lands of such heir."- Black stone : Comment., bk. ii., ch. 5. 2. The state or condition of being a ward or under guardianship; pupilage. "It was the wisest act that ever I did in my wardship ." -Ben Jonson: Bartholomew Fair , iii. 1. *wards-man, s. [Eng. ward , and man .] One who keeps watch and ward; a guard. IMG:content-0661.png:[blocks in formation] "Ware they be what offensive weapons they have." P. Holland: Pliny , bk. viii., ch. ii. 2. On one's guard; watchful; provided against. "Of whom be thou ware also."-2 Timothy iv. 15.