stepchild \ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷\noun (pluralstepchildren) Etymology: Middle English, from Old English stēopcild orphan, from stēop- step- + cild child — more at child 1.: a child of one's wife or husband by a former marriage 2.: one that fails to receive proper care or attention < music is … a stepchild in most of our academic institutions — P.H.Lang >