World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesFoundling
/ˈfaʊnd.lɪŋ/Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
An infant or young child who has been abandoned by its parents and whose identity is unknown.
"The historical parish records contained numerous entries regarding the care and upbringing of local foundlings." - 2
By extension, an orphaned or abandoned person or creature.
"In the fantasy epic, the young warrior was raised as a foundling by a clan of nomadic mercenaries."
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Derived from Old English 'fundling', formed from the verb 'findan' (to find) combined with the diminutive/agent suffix '-ling'. Historically, the term referred to an abandoned infant whose parents were unknown, often taken in by parishes, monasteries, or charitable institutions during the medieval and early modern periods.
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10 Global Lexicons: How "Foundling" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
enfant trouvé
Transliteration: ɑ̃.fɑ̃ tʁu.ve
"L'enfant trouvé a été recueilli par un couple bienveillant."
Findelkind
Transliteration: ˈfɪndl̩ˌkɪnt
"Das Findelkind wurde im Hof der alten Kirche abgegeben."
trovatello
Transliteration: tro.vaˈtɛl.lo
"Nel passato, i trovatelli venivano spesso affidati agli istituti religiosi."
expósito
Transliteration: eksˈposi.to
"El niño expósito creció bajo el cuidado de la caridad pública."
enjeitado
Transliteration: ẽ.ʒejˈta.du
"Os registros antigos mencionam a chegada de vários enjeitados à vila."
लावारिस बच्चा
Transliteration: lāvāris bachchā
"अस्पताल के बाहर एक लावारिस बच्चा मिला।"
弃儿
Transliteration: qì ér
"这个孤儿院收容了许多无依无靠的弃儿。"
버려진 아이
Transliteration: beoryeojin ai
"그 소설은 한 버려진 아이의 성장 과정을 담고 있다."
捨て子
Transliteration: sutego
"昔話にはよく捨て子が登場します。"
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