Cinderella

Meanings

Proper Noun

• A popular fairy tale embodying a classic folk tale myth-element of unjust oppression and triumphant reward.
• The main character in this story, a mistreated and impoverished girl. At a royal ball she meets a handsome prince who later identifies her by means of a dropped article, most commonly a slipper, and removes her from her poverty.
• A female given name from coinages.

Noun

• A mistreated and impoverished girl.
• Something rising unexpectedly from obscurity to success, as a Cinderella team.
• Something neglected and denied resources, as a Cinderella service.
• A stamp or stamp-like label issued for purposes other than postal administration, not issued by a central government, or not listed in most general catalogues.
• A woman employed to clean, especially to remove ash from stoves and fireplaces.

Origin

• From cinder, as in little cinder girl. Compare French Cendrillon.