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Pronunciation varies by accent · noun
An abandoned child, left by its parent(s), often a baby left at a convent or similar safe place..
foundling hospital
In foundling hospitals, and among the children brought up by parish charities, the mortality is still greater than among those of the common people.
Moses was a foundling; Jesus Christ was born in a stable; and Mahomet was a mule driver.
[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⋯
Use foundling when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.
Foundling means An abandoned child, left by its parent(s), often a baby left at a convent or similar safe place..
Common synonyms include abandoned infant.
The opposite depends on the specific sense.
foundling hospital
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