foundling

[ found-ling ]

/ ˈfaʊnd lɪŋ /

an infant or small child found abandoned; a child without a known parent or guardian.

Origin of foundling

First recorded in 1250–1300, foundling is from the Middle English word found(e)ling. See found¹, -ling¹

fondling foundling

Ginx's Baby, under the title "Re a Foundling," was once more submitted for the opinion of counsel.

Ginx's Baby |Edward Jenkins
The child was left at the Foundling Hospital in my presence.

Fruitfulness |Emile Zola
Service in the chapel is over, and the Foundling children are at dinner.

No Thoroughfare |Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins
And much quotation on a page makes it like a foundling hospital—sentences unparented, ideas abandoned of their proper text.

Journeys to Bagdad |Charles S. Brooks

When he called me a foundling, he said no more than the truth, and I have no right to thrash him for that.

San-Cravate; or, The Messengers; Little Streams |Charles Paul de Kock

foundling

/ (ˈfaʊndlɪŋ) /

an abandoned infant whose parents are not known

C13: foundeling; see find