orphan
die Waise, die Waisen
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orphan
A child whose parents or one parent has died. The term can also refer to young animals that have lost their mother.
Nach dem Tod ihrer Eltern wuchs sie als Waise bei ihren Großeltern auf.
After her parents died, she grew up as an orphan with her grandparents.
orphan
In typography, the first line of a new paragraph that stands alone at the end of a page or column. This is usually avoided in professional layout.
Der Grafiker musste das Dokument überarbeiten, um die störende Waise auf Seite drei zu entfernen.
The graphic designer had to revise the document to remove the distracting orphan on page three.
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Waisen |
| genitive | der Waise |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Waise | die Waisen |
| accusative | die Waise den Waisen | die Waisen |
| dative | der Waise | den Waisen |
| genitive | der Waise des Waisen | der Waisen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
This word has two very different meanings. The context makes clear what is meant: if it is about people or families, it refers to a child without parents. If it is about text, design, or printing, it refers to a single line at the end of a page.
Das Schicksal der Waisen im Krieg ist ein trauriges Thema.
The fate of the orphans in the war is a sad topic.
The word 'Waise' (orphan) is part of a word family. A 'Waisenkind' (orphaned child) is another term for a child without parents, and a 'Waisenhaus' (orphanage) is an institution where orphaned children used to be housed.
Viele berühmte Romanfiguren sind Waisenkinder.
Many famous novel characters are orphans.
Common phrases are 'zur Waise werden' (to become an orphan / to lose one's parents) and 'als Waise aufwachsen' (to grow up as an orphan).
Durch den Unfall wurden die Kinder zu Waisen.
The accident left the children orphaned.
In the typographic meaning, 'Waise' (orphan) is a technical term. It is only used when talking about professional text or book layout.
Bitte achte darauf, dass am Ende der Spalte keine Waise steht.
Please make sure there is no orphan at the end of the column.
