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Wiktionary The Free Dictionary

foundling

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

English

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Etymology

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From Middle English foundelyng . By surface analysis, found +‎ -ling .

Pronunciation

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Noun

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foundling (plural foundlings )

  1. An abandoned child, left by its parent(s), often a baby left at a convent or similar safe place.
    foundling hospital
    • 1776, Adam Smith, An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations :
      In foundling hospitals, and among the children brought up by parish charities, the mortality is still greater than among those of the common people.
    • 1794, Thomas Paine, The Age of Reason (Part I):
      Moses was a foundling; Jesus Christ was born in a stable; and Mahomet was a mule driver.
    • 1960 June 13, Walt Kelly, "The Confoundling", in Pogo , comic strip, published 1974, →ISBN, page 342:
      [Owl:] YOU HEARD THAT FREMOUNT IS REALLY A[sic ] ANT LION, MR. CONGERSMAN?
      [Frog:] IT'S A SAD BLOW TO THE PARTY JUST AT A TIME WHEN US OWLS MUST STICK TOGETHER. WORST PART IS, MRS. WEEVIL SAYS HER SISTER-AN'-LAW FOUND THE CANDIDATE IN A BOX OF POPCORN.
      [Owl:] AIN'T IT WORSE TO BE A CANNIBAL THAN A FOUNDLING?
      [Frog:] WE CAN SAY HE'S CHANGED HIS HABITS! BUT A FAMILY TREE LOOKS BAD SPROUTIN' OUT OF POPCORN⋯

Derived terms

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Translations

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abandoned child, left by its parent

See also

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Anagrams

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