Child (chīld), n.; pl.Children (chĭl″drĕn). [AS. cild, pl. cildru; cf. Goth. kilþei womb, in-kilþō 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.
2. A descendant, however remote; — used esp. in the plural; as, the children of Israel; the children of Edom.
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.
4. A noble youth. See Childe. Chaucer.
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.
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.
6. A female infant.
A boy or a child, I wonder?
Shak.
To be with child, to be pregnant. — Child's play, light work; a trifling contest.