out-of-wedlock
Born sans nuptials
Out-of-wedlock describes a child born to parents who are not married to each other, or the circumstances of such a birth: an out-of-wedlock pregnancy, born out of wedlock.
The term is formal and somewhat dated, carrying a faint whiff of moral judgment from an era when unmarried parenthood was stigmatized.
More neutral alternatives like "unmarried" have largely replaced it.
Lawful or rightful status
- paternity suitLawsuit establishing fatherhood
- child supportMandated parental financial contribution
- inheritanceProperty received from ancestors
- custodyProtective care or control
parental rights · DNA test · birth registration · legal status · recognition · acknowledgment · succession · estate
Not authorized or recognized
- bastardChild of unmarried parents
- single parentUnpartnered mother or father
- birth certificateOfficial record of arrival
- paternityMale parent status
fatherless · unmarried · nonmarital · extramarital · natural child · love child · unplanned pregnancy · teenage pregnancy
Painful awareness of failure
- scandalDisgraceful public affair
- disgraceLoss of honor
- fallen womanMorally disgraced female
- ostracismBanishment from a group
reputation · honor · taboo · secrecy · adoption · sent away · whispers · judgment
Abandoned child discovered
- workhouseInstitution housing poor laborers
- orphanageInstitution housing parentless children
- church recordsCongregation's official documentation
- poorhouseShelter for the destitute
abandoned · infanticide · asylum · parish · Victorian · colonial · primogeniture · legitimation
legitimacy
Lawful or rightful status
- paternity suitLawsuit establishing fatherhood
- child supportMandated parental financial contribution
- inheritanceProperty received from ancestors
custody · parental rights · DNA test · birth registration · legal status · recognition · acknowledgment · succession · estate · heir
illegitimate
Not authorized or recognized
- bastardChild of unmarried parents
- single parentUnpartnered mother or father
- birth certificateOfficial record of arrival
paternity · fatherless · unmarried · nonmarital · extramarital · natural child · love child · unplanned pregnancy · teenage pregnancy · legitimacy
shame
Painful awareness of failure
- scandalDisgraceful public affair
- disgraceLoss of honor
- fallen womanMorally disgraced female
ostracism · reputation · honor · taboo · secrecy · adoption · sent away · whispers · judgment · morality
foundling
Abandoned child discovered
- workhouseInstitution housing poor laborers
- orphanageInstitution housing parentless children
- church recordsCongregation's official documentation
poorhouse · abandoned · infanticide · asylum · parish · Victorian · colonial · primogeniture · legitimation · acknowledged
out-of-wedlockmarital
Of or relating to wedlock
legitimate · matrimonial · conjugal · wedlock
out-of-wedlocklegitimate
Conforming to accepted standards
lawful · legal · recognized · sanctioned · proper
wedlock, outing, outer, outermost, outward, outwardly, without, wedding, wedded