fosterage

American  

[faw-ster-ij, fos-ter-] / ˈfɔ stər ɪdʒ, ˈfɒs tər- /

noun

1. the act of fostering or rearing another's child as one's own.

2. the condition of being a foster child.

3. an act of promoting or encouraging.

   The board will undertake the fosterage of our new project.

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fosterage British  

/ ˈfɒstərɪdʒ /

noun

1. the act of caring for or bringing up a foster child

2. the condition or state of being a foster child

3. the act of encouraging or promoting

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Etymology

Origin of fosterage

First recorded in 1605–15; foster + -age

Example Sentences

It tainted the blood of all who gave their children into fosterage with Irish women, and penalised the usage of Irish dress and customs.

From The Sunny Side of Ireland How to see it by the Great Southern and Western Railway by Praeger, Robert Lloyd

If thou wouldst nurse him till he comes to the measure of youth, then whatsoever woman saw thee should envy thee; such gifts of fosterage would my mother give thee.”

From The Homeric Hymns A New Prose Translation; and Essays, Literary and Mythological by Lang, Andrew

However, by the Celtic custom of fosterage the infant is intrusted to Sir Ector as his dalt, or foster-child, and Uther falls in battle.

From Alfred Tennyson by Lang, Andrew

The Celtic custom of fosterage is overlooked, and Merlin gives the child to Anton, not as the customary dalt, but to preserve the babe from danger.

From Alfred Tennyson by Lang, Andrew

The terms of fosterage seem to vary in different islands.

From The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction Volume 12, No. 323, July 19, 1828 by Various