HUNGARY-L Archives

From:
Subject: Re: [HUNGARY-L] Step children
Date: Mon, 2 Aug 2004 09:39:45 EDT

In a message dated 8/2/2004 8:01:53 AM US Eastern Standard Time,
writes:

<< In order to be a step parent or a step child one parent needs to be
deceased. Anyone know? >>

You are correct about the "former" meaning. According to Webster's
Dictionary, a stepchild (stepchildren) originally applied to orphaned children, but
later to those related by re-marriage or a parent; it is a child of one's husband
or wife by a former marriage.

The word derives from the middle English from a base word meaning "to
bereave, or make orphan".

So, as you suspected, the original meaning (usage) has changed over time and
now includes children whose biological parents are both still living.

Regards
Linda

This thread:

• Step children by "Elizabeth V Cardinal" <>

  • Re: [HUNGARY-L] Step children by

  • RE: [HUNGARY-L] Step children by "Seville, Barbara A." <>
    • RE: [HUNGARY-L] Step children by Judy Mann <>
      • RE: [HUNGARY-L] Step children by "Elizabeth V Cardinal" <>
  • Re: Step children by "Edward T. Surkosky" <>