Choose the correct one-word substitution for:
"A child born after the death of their father ___."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
Correct Answer
Posthumous
Explanation
The question asks for the correct one-word substitution for a child born after their father's death.
The word "Posthumous" is an adjective derived from the Latin roots post (meaning after) and humus (meaning ground or earth, relating to burial). In English, it is used to describe anything occurring, awarded, or born after a person's death. Therefore, a child born in this scenario is referred to as a posthumous child.
The other options are incorrect because they have completely different definitions:
Orphan refers to a child whose parents are both deceased, or less commonly, one whose surviving parent has abandoned them permanently.
Bastard is an archaic and offensive term historically used to describe a child born to parents who were not legally married to each other.
Ward refers to a minor or person who is placed under the legal protection and care of a guardian or a court.
Key Points
The root word "Post" means after. This prefix can help you solve many vocabulary questions on competitive exams, as any book published or award given after an author's or creator's death is also called posthumous.