Fosterling

/ˈfɔstərlɪŋ/ noun

Definition

A child raised by foster parents; a fostered or adopted child.

Etymology

From foster plus the diminutive suffix -ling, originally meaning 'little foster child.' Common in Middle English and still used in modern literature.

Kelly Says

In Shakespeare's time, 'fosterling' wasn't seen as shameful at all—it was prestigious for noble children to be fostered by other families as part of their education!

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