Inmate

[Rob]

Just occurred to me this word " inmate" doesn't neccessarily mean a member of an institution e.g asylum or prison but also means boarder or lodger!Right?

[Northern Lass]

Just occurred to me this word " inmate" doesn't neccessarily mean a member of an institution e.g asylum or prison but also means boarder or lodger!Right?

yes

moving this to General discussion

[snoopysue]

I've not come across it for anything other than some sort of instition, workhouse, prison, etc - where've you round it Rob?

[Annie]

Just occurred to me this word " inmate" doesn't neccessarily mean a member of an institution e.g asylum or prison but also means boarder or lodger!Right?

I've come across it on different census but always thought it was for an institution of some kind.

Annie

[Antie Em]

I have seen it used where someone unrelated is living with a family.

[grangers14]

Yep thats how I have seen it too Auntie Em.

I think its in the dictionary but as an un used word for that now.
Jo

[grangers14]

in·mate   /ˈɪnˌmeɪt/ Show Spelled
[in-meyt] Show IPA

–noun
1. a person who is confined in a prison, hospital, etc.
2. Archaic . a person who dwells with others in the same house.


From
http://dictionary.reference.com/

[gardener]

You will certainly see it in the earlier censuses, used to mean living in the house. Mostly 1841/51 I think.