Crossword Genius

A child will be if his parents are late (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

orphaned

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'if his parents are late' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun but the answer is not.

'a child will' is the wordplay.
'a child' becomes 'orphan' (orphan is a kind of child).
'will' becomes 'ed' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'orphan'+'ed'='ORPHANED'

'be' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for orphaned that I've seen before include "Left without father or mother" , "Having both parents dead" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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