foundling

[found-ling]

noun

1. an infant or small child found abandoned; a child without a known parent or guardian.

foundling

/ ˈfaʊndlɪŋ /

noun

1. an abandoned infant whose parents are not known

Word History and Origins

Origin of foundling¹

First recorded in 1250–1300, foundling is from the Middle English word found(e)ling. See found ², -ling ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of foundling¹

C13: foundeling ; see _find

Example Sentences

When an American ambassador tells his wife a foundling is their newborn son, the film explores whether little Damien could be the Antichrist.

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A story of passion and revenge, it is based on the original story of the destructive, obsessive love between Catherine Earnshaw and the foundling Heathcliff.

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In a logging camp in 1934 New Brunswick, newborn Pearly is raised alongside Bruno, a foundling bear cub given to her father.

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“They both have the connection of being adopted, being foundlings, so there’s that emotional bond.”

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We might hear an account of a foundling left on this particular doorstep, or perhaps the family that once lived here and was forced to flee or go into hiding.

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