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orphaning

orphaning

6.3
The loss of a child's parents leaving them without care
  • noun
  • /ˈɔrfənɪŋ/
translation icon : orfanización
  • The war led to the orphaning of many children, leaving them without parents to care for them.

Examples

  • Natural disasters can result in the sudden orphaning of entire families.

  • Many organizations work to prevent orphaning in vulnerable communities.

  • The war led to the orphaning of many children.

  • The orphaning of young animals in the wild often reduces their chances of survival.

  • The orphaning of children due to war is a tragic consequence.

  • Natural disasters can result in the sudden orphaning of entire families, forcing children to fend for themselves.

  • The orphaning of young animals in the wild often leads to helplessness, as they lack adult guidance.

Surface Forms

orphaning singular
orphanings plural

Morphology

orphaning = orphan (transparent) = orphan + ing

This is a regular deverbal noun in -ing from 'orphan', meaning the act or process of making someone an orphan.

Etymology

Orphaning comes from the word orphan, which goes back to the Greek orphanos meaning 'without parents'. So orphaning is the act of making someone 'without parents', which explains the modern meaning of causing someone to become an orphan.