orphan

¹or·phan

noun \ˈȯr-fən\

Definition of ORPHAN

1

: a child deprived by death of one or usually both parents

2

: a young animal that has lost its mother

3

: one deprived of some protection or advantage <orphans of the storm>

4

: a first line (as of a paragraph) separated from its related text and appearing at the bottom of a printed page or column

— orphan adjective

— or·phan·hood \-ˌhu̇d\ noun

Origin of ORPHAN

Middle English, from Late Latin orphanus, from Greek orphanos; akin to Old High German erbi inheritance, Latin orbus orphaned

First Known Use: 15th century