Source: The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Child \Child\ (ch[imac]ld), n.; pl. Children
(ch[i^]l"dr[e^]n). [AS. cild, pl. cildru; cf. Goth.
kil[thorn]ei womb, in-kil[thorn][=o] with child.]
1. A son or a daughter; a male or female descendant, in the
first degree; the immediate progeny of human parents; --
in law, legitimate offspring. Used also of animals and
plants.
[1913 Webster]
2. A descendant, however remote; -- used esp. in the plural;
as, the children of Israel; the children of Edom.
[1913 Webster]
3. One who, by character of practice, shows signs of
relationship to, or of the influence of, another; one
closely connected with a place, occupation, character,
etc.; as, a child of God; a child of the devil; a child of
disobedience; a child of toil; a child of the people.
[1913 Webster]
4. A noble youth. See Childe. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
[1913 Webster]
5. A young person of either sex. esp. one between infancy and
youth; hence, one who exhibits the characteristics of a
very young person, as innocence, obedience, trustfulness,
limited understanding, etc.
[1913 Webster]
When I was child. I spake as a child, I understood
as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became
a man, I put away childish things. --1. Cor. xii.
11.
[1913 Webster]
6. A female infant. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]
A boy or a child, I wonder? --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
To be with child, to be pregnant.
Child's play, light work; a trifling contest.
[1913 Webster]
Source: The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Children \Chil"dren\, n.;
pl. of Child.
[1913 Webster]
child
n 1: a young person of either sex; "she writes books for
children"; "they're just kids"; "`tiddler' is a British
term for youngsters" [syn: kid, youngster, minor,
shaver, nipper, small fry, tiddler, tike, tyke,
fry, nestling]
2: a human offspring (son or daughter) of any age; "they had
three children"; "they were able to send their kids to
college" [syn: kid] [ant: parent]
3: an immature childish person; "he remained a child in
practical matters as long as he lived"; "stop being a
baby!" [syn: baby]
4: a member of a clan or tribe; "the children of Israel"
[also: children (pl)]
Dictionary
top
