ˌsindəˈrelə, attrib | ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ noun
( -s )
Usage: often capitalized
Etymology: after Cinderella, heroine of a fairy tale who is mistreated by her stepmother but elevated to happiness and affluence through the intervention of her fairy godmother
: a person, place, or thing likened to Cinderella of the fairy tale:
a. : one suffering neglect usually undeservedly in a lowly despised position
bats are the cinderellas of the mammal world
b. : one suddenly lifted often fortuitously from obscurity and neglect to honor and significance
uranium is a cinderella among the world's metals