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child Definition

child (c̸hīld)

noun pl. chil′·dren

  1. an infant; baby
  2. an unborn offspring; fetus
  3. a boy or girl in the period before puberty
  4. a son or daughter; offspring
    1. a descendant
    2. a member of a tribe, clan, etc.: often used in pl. children of Israel
  6. a person like a child in interests, judgment, etc., or one regarded as immature and childish
  7. a person identified with a specified place, time, etc. a child of the Renaissance
  8. a thing that springs from a specified source; product a child of one's imagination
  9. Archaic childe
  10. Brit., Dialectal a female infant

Etymology: ME, pl. childre (now dial. childer; children is double pl.) < OE cild, pl. cild, cildru < IE *gelt-, a swelling up < base *gel-, rounded (sense development: swelling — womb — fetus — offspring > Goth kilthei, womb, L globus, sphere

child Related Forms

child′·less adjective child′·less·ness noun

child Idioms

with child

pregnant

Child Definition

Child (c̸hīld)

Child, Francis James 1825-96; U.S. scholar and collector of Eng. & Scot. ballads

child Synonyms

child

n.

boy, girl, kid*, baby*, newborn*, infant*, nestling*, toddler*, tot*, preschooler, moppet*, preteen*, youth*, adolescent*, teenager*, youngster*, daughter*, son*, grandchild*, stepchild*, foster child, offspring*, descendant*, innocent*, stripling*, minor*, youngling*, mite*, chick*, juvenile*, tad*, tyke*, cub*, small fry*, little one, cherub*, chit*, whippersnapper*, pubescent*, progeny*, issue*, kiddie*, papoose*, teeny-bopper*, nymphet*, whelp*, brat*, imp*, urchin*, shaver*; see also baby 1, boy, daughter, girl 1, son.

Antonyms parent*, adult*, elder.

with child

pregnant, bearing a child, carrying a child, going to have a baby; see pregnant 1.

child Law Definition

n

  1. A person under the age of majority. See also age.
  2. Under the common law, a person who is under 14 years of age.
  3. The son or daughter of a person or an individual who is treated as such.
after-born child
A child born after a certain event, such as a child born after the execution of a will or the death of its testator parent.
biological child
  1. A child born to his parents. Also called natural child.
  2. A child genetically related to a specified parent. Also called genetic child and natural child. See also adoption.
delinquent child
  1. A minor who intentionally and constantly engages in antisocial behavior.
  2. A minor who does something that would be a crime if committed by an adult. Whether the child would be subject to the juvenile court’s jurisdiction would depend on whether the child is over the statutorily established age. See also juvenile delinquent.
foster child
A child cared for and raised by an adult, usually selected by a government agency, who is not his or her natural or adoptive parents.
illegitimate child
A child who was not conceived or born in lawful wedlock and who is not later legitimated. Also called bastard. See also paternity suit.
legitimate child
  1. In common law, a child born or conceived in lawful wedlock.
  2. Under most modern statutes, a child born or conceived in lawful wedlock or later legitimated by her parents’ subsequent marriage, her father’s acknowledgement of paternity, or a judicial determination of paternity.
neglected child
A child whose parents or legal custodians fail to safeguard the child’s emotional and physical health and general well-being.
posthumous child
Traditionally, a child born after his father’s death. However, because it is now medically possible in some situations to keep a deceased pregnant woman on life-support machine until the birth of her child, the term can include a child born after his mother’s death.

child Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • age: This event is recommended for families with children aged between 5 - 13 years.
  • help: Derby County Coaches help local children On Saturday 18th June football did come home to The Community House!
  • bear: At the moment there are too many children born who are at a disadvantage.
  • teach: She was asked, 'Why not teach children how to decode from the start?
  • encourage: The overall aim of the project is to encourage school children into science.
  • protect: Aren't you glad there are laws to protect children from working in horrible conditions?

Adjective modifier

  • young: Unlike many adults, young children do not have any choice about whether or not they are exposed to tobacco smoke.
  • disabled: Carers and people with parental responsibility for disabled children.
  • deaf: Many deaf children use a loop system with their television.
  • unborn: Hidden in that last sentence is the ghost -- the words " unborn child.
  • vulnerable: National Childrens Homes One of the UK's leading childrens ' charities, working with vulnerable children, young people and their families.
  • old: We advise that you attend the older child's session and your younger child will follow the older children.

Modifies a noun

  • poverty: The working families tax credit is key to the government's strategy to tackle low pay and child poverty.
  • protection: Recommendations then included creating a national child protection unit to promote good practice.
  • abuse: Be consistent and effective in the investigation of child abuse referrals.
  • labor: As a consequence, many people sold their children into child labor and prostitution.

Noun used with modifier

  • pre-school: There are groups for babies, toddlers and pre-school children.
  • school: Last year the roadshow went to 341 schools, reaching over 30,000 school children.

Preposition: of

age: With all the main cast reprising their roles, this is a hoot for children of all ages.

Preposition: with

disability: The DSE Mini Games gives children with disabilities the opportunity to participate in sporting activities.