orphan
English meaning: Orphan
Definition
A child whose parents have both died.
Example
“The kind couple adopted an orphan from the local children's home.”
Another example: “The war left thousands of children orphans overnight.”
Usage — When, Where & How
Neutral and somewhat emotive; used of a child both of whose parents have died, and figuratively in computing/printing ('orphan line'). Often paired with 'war' or 'left'.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Greek "orphanos," bereft, via Latin "orphanus."
Synonyms
- parentless child
- foundling
- waif
Related Words
Common Collocations
- war orphan
- orphaned child
- left an orphan
- orphan boy
- orphans and widows
Word Forms
orphan (n); orphans (pl); orphan (v); orphaned (adj); orphanage (n)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
CC-licensed · free to useVideo
Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B