Child , v. i. [imp. & p. p. Childed; p. pr. & vb.
n. Childing.]
To give birth; to produce young.
This queen Genissa childing died.
Warner.
It chanced within two days they childed both.
Latimer.
Child (chīld), n.;
pl. Children
(ch&ibreve;l"dr&ebreve;n). [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. [Obs.]
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. [Obs.]
A boy or a child, I
wonder?
Shak.
To be with child, to be pregnant. - - Child's play, light work; a trifling contest.
Hear it pronounced