orphan

Definition

  • noun: a child whose parents are dead
  • noun: a child deprived by death of one or usually both parents
  • verb: to cause (a child) to become an orphan
  • verb: to cause to become an orphan
  • sometimes used of animals
  • synonyms: parentless, twice-bereaved, fatherless

Examples

  • He was left an 'orphan' [=he became an orphan] when his parents died in a car accident.

  • The second volume of the two-volume set 'was orphaned' when we lost the first volume.

  • He 'was orphaned' as a young boy when his parents died in a car accident.

Movie clips

Movie quotes

  • (..) I'm just going to get a doctor to take a look at you. Sonny, please don't do anything. What's the matter with you? What am I going to do? Make that baby an orphan before he's born? You spic slobs still betting Yankees? Tell them to stop taking in action. We lost enough money last week. (..)
    1972 The Godfather