one-parent
Meaning
Involving or relating to a single parent, especially in a family structure.
A person raising a child or children without a partner; a single parent.
Structure
Usage
She grew up in a one-parent household.
Support groups are available for one-parent families.
The policy offers additional benefits to one-parents.
Etymology
The compound "one-parent" is a modern English formation, directly combining two native elements to create a transparent descriptor for a family structure. The word "one" originates from Proto-Germanic ainaz, carrying the fundamental sense of singularity. "Parent" entered English via Anglo-French from the Latin verb 'parere', meaning "to bring forth, to produce". The compound's logic is purely literal and descriptive, emerging in the mid-20th century to neutrally label a household headed by a sole mother or father, reflecting evolving social patterns and terminology.
Analysis
- one: From Old English 'ān', meaning "one, a single". It functions as a numerical determiner/modifier. - parent: From Latin 'parent-', 'parens', meaning "begetter, father or mother". It functions as the core noun.