n.
Pronunciation: ' o ̇ r-f ə n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Late Latin orphanus, from Greek orphanos; akin to Old High German erbi inheritance, Latin orbus orphaned
Date: 15th century
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 < orphan s of the storm>
– orphan adjective
– or · phan · hood \ - ˌ hu ̇ d \ noun