Search Result for "orphanage": 
Wordnet 3.0

NOUN (2)

1. the condition of being a child without living parents;
- Example: "his early orphanage shaped his character as an adult"
[syn: orphanage, orphanhood]

2. a public institution for the care of orphans;
[syn: orphanage, orphans' asylum]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Orphanage \Or"phan*age\, n. 1. The state of being an orphan; orphanhood; orphans, collectively. [1913 Webster] 2. An institution or asylum for the care of orphans. [1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

orphanage n 1: the condition of being a child without living parents; "his early orphanage shaped his character as an adult" [syn: orphanage, orphanhood] 2: a public institution for the care of orphans [syn: orphanage, orphans' asylum]
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856):

ORPHANAGE, Eng. law. By the custom of London, when a freeman of that city dies, his estate is divided into three parts, as follows: one third part to the widow; another, to the children advanced by him in his lifetime, which is called the orphanage; and the other third part may be by him disposed of by will. Now, however, a freeman may dispose of his estate as he pleases; but in cases of intestacy, the statute of distribution expressly excepts and reserves the custom of London. Lov. on Wills, 102, 104; Bac. Ab. Custom of London, C. Vide Legitime.