orphan

A2
Pronunciation
/ˈɔːfən/
/ˈɔɹfən/
Noun
6 definition(s)
1 Definition

A person, especially a minor, both or (rarely) one of whose parents have died.

2 Definition

A person, especially a minor, whose parents have permanently abandoned them.

3 Definition

A young animal with no mother.

4 Definition

Anything that is unsupported, as by its source, provider or caretaker, by reason of the supporter's demise or decision to abandon.

5 Definition

A single line of type, beginning a paragraph, at the bottom of a column or page.

6 Definition

Any unreferenced object.

Verb
2 definition(s)
1 Definition

To deprive of parents (used almost exclusively in the passive)

Example Sentences
  • What do you do when you come across two orphaned polar bear cubs?
2 Definition

To make unavailable, as by removing the last remaining pointer or reference to.

Example Sentences
  • Removing categories orphans pages from the main category tree.
Adjective
2 definition(s)
1 Definition

Deprived of parents (also orphaned).

Example Sentences
  • She is an orphan child.
2 Definition

(by extension) Remaining after the removal of some form of support.

Example Sentences
  • With its government funding curtailed, the gun registry became an orphan program.