The word "orphan" refers to a child whose parents are deceased or have abandoned them. An orphan is a person who has lost both parents, typically leading to vulnerabilities in terms of care and support. In a broader sense, it can also refer to any child or young person who lacks parental care, regardless of the circumstances.
The term "orphan" derives from the Middle English word "orfanson" or "orphan," which came from the Old French "orfein," and ultimately, from the Latin "orphanus," which means "fatherless." The roots can be traced back to the Greek "orphanos," meaning "deprived of parents."