wardship

== English == === Etymology === From ward +‎ -ship. Cognate with Dutch waardschap, Central Franconian Wirtschaff, Hunsrik Wertschaft, German Wirtschaft. === Noun === wardship (usually uncountable, plural wardships) (chiefly law) The state of being a ward of someone. (historical) In English feudal law, the guardianship which the lord had of the land of his vassal while the latter was an infant or minor. === Anagrams === shipward