The Collaborative International Dictionary
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.]
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.
A descendant, however remote; -- used esp. in the plural; as, the children of Israel; the children of Edom.
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.
A noble youth. See Childe. [Obs.]
--Chaucer.-
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.
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. -
A female infant. [Obs.]
A boy or a child, I wonder?
--Shak.To be with child, to be pregnant.
Child's play, light work; a trifling contest.