nullius filius

noun

A child of unknown parentage; an orphan.

Similar
by-blow
OriginMedieval Latin nullius filius ← Latin nullius →
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Meanings

noun

alternative filius nullius

  1. LatinateA child of unknown parentage; an orphan.
  2. lawThe son of no one; a bastard.

    A bastard is considered nullius filius as far as regards his right inherit. But the rule of nullius filius does not apply in other respects

    1856, Bouvier Law Dictionary, 6th edition

    Synonyms: by-blow

Synonyms & antonyms

nounThe son of no one; a bastard.

Similar
by-blow
Also see
bastardlove child

Origin

  1. Latinnullius
  2. Medieval Latinnullius filius“nobody's son”
  3. Englishnullius filius

Borrowed from Medieval Latin nullius filius (“nobody's son”), from Latin nullius + filius.

More words from Medieval Latin, Latin

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

nullius filius. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/nullius%20filius

MLA

“nullius filius.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/nullius%20filius. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “nullius filius,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/nullius%20filius.

Source: nullius filius on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.