foundling

From Middle English foundlyng, fondeyng, variants of Middle English fyndling, fyndlyng, equivalent to found +‎ -ling.

foundling (plural foundlings)

1. An abandoned child, left by its parent(s), often a baby left at a convent or similar safe place.
   • 1749, Henry Fielding, The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling.
   • 1776, Adam Smith, An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations:

     In foundling hospitals, and among the children brought up by parish charities, the mortality is still greater than among those of the common people.

   • 1794, Thomas Paine, The Age of Reason (Part I):

     Moses was a foundling; Jesus Christ was born in a stable; and Mahomet was a mule driver.

   • 1960, Walt Kelly, Pogo, June 13 comic strip (→ISBN, p. 154):

     [Owl:] You heard that [our presidential candidate] is really a ant lion[?]
     [Frog:] Worst part is, [his family says he was found] 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...

• foundling wheel

• oblate

• unfolding