orphan Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a child who has lost both parents
  2. noun someone or something who lacks support or care or supervision
  3. noun the first line of a paragraph that is set as the last line of a page or column
  4. noun a young animal without a mother
  5. verb deprive of parents

WordNet

Or"phan noun
Etymology
L. orphanus, Gr. , akin to L. orbus. Cf. Orb a blank window.
Definitions
  1. A child bereaved of both father and mother; sometimes, also, a child who has but one parent living. Bouvier.
Or"phan adjective
Definitions
  1. Bereaved of parents, or (sometimes) of one parent.
Or"phan transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Orphaned ; present participle & verbal noun Orphaning
Definitions
  1. To cause to become an orphan; to deprive of parents. Young.

Webster 1913