orphan

Everyday

1. An orphan is a child whose parents have both died. tree →
2. To be orphaned is to become an orphan. tree →
3. An orphan animal has lost its mother. tree →
4. (printing, computing) An orphan is a single line or word left alone at the top or bottom of a page. tree →

In the lessons

In stories: many famous characters are orphans, such as Harry Potter, Anne of Green Gables and Oliver Twist. In ethics and church life: caring for orphans. In nature: orphaned animals are raised in rescue centres.

Examples

• Anne Shirley was an orphan who went to live on a farm. tree →
• The orphan was looked after by her aunt. tree →
• Harry Potter was orphaned as a baby. tree →
• The zoo is raising an orphaned baby elephant. tree →
• The Bible tells believers to care for orphans and widows. tree →
• An orphanage was once a home for orphans. tree →

Note

Starts with a vowel sound: «an orphan». Place: orphanage. Today children without parents usually live with relatives or foster families, not in orphanages. Said OR-fun.

In Jewish tradition

In the Tanakh orphans are the fatherless, who are weak and need protection. In Lamentations Israel mourns as orphans after the fall of Jerusalem.

Interpretation. The Torah commands care for the orphan, and the rabbis taught that God is "father of orphans." Wronging an orphan is counted a serious sin.

Examples

• We are become orphans and fatherless, our mothers are as widows. (Writings LAM.5.3, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Starts with a vowel sound: «an orphan». Place: orphanage. Today children without parents usually live with relatives or foster families, not in orphanages. Said OR-fun.