A child given by his parents to a monastery to be raised there; less commonly, a lay person connected with a monastery but without having taken vows. The practice of child oblation created difficulties if, as an adult, the oblate did not wish to join the community, for example in what to do with any property donated with him or her. By the 13c the giving of boys had virtually ceased, although girls continued to be given for some time. [< Lat. oblatus = offered] -
Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases. Christopher Coredon with Ann Williams.