Middle English Dictionary Entry
orphan n.
Entry Info
| Forms | orphan n. Also orphen. |
| Etymology | L orphanus; cp. OF orphenin. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Associated quotations
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)4938 : Anoþer folk woneþ þere-biside, Orphani hij hatteþ wyde..her eldrynges..Hij..sleeþ..Ac þe guttes hij eteþ hem-selue.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)22.232 : Oure God, þe Ryhtwos loveth Ryht Wel, The Orphanees he gouerneth Ech del.
- c1475 Chartier Quad.(1) (UC 85)171/1 : I see..oonly land in destruccion, cuntre inhabitable, in multitude of wydowes and orphenys.