Hypertext Webster Gateway: "Child"

From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary (easton)

Child
This word has considerable latitude of meaning in Scripture.
Thus Joseph is called a child at the time when he was probably
about sixteen years of age (Gen. 37:3); and Benjamin is so
called when he was above thirty years (44:20). Solomon called
himself a little child when he came to the kingdom (1 Kings
3:7).

The descendants of a man, however remote, are called his
children; as, "the children of Edom," "the children of Moab,"
"the children of Israel."

In the earliest times mothers did not wean their children till
they were from thirty months to three years old; and the day on
which they were weaned was kept as a festival day (Gen. 21:8;
Ex. 2:7, 9; 1 Sam. 1:22-24; Matt. 21:16). At the age of five,
children began to learn the arts and duties of life under the
care of their fathers (Deut. 6:20-25; 11:19).

To have a numerous family was regarded as a mark of divine
favour (Gen. 11:30; 30:1; 1 Sam. 2:5; 2 Sam. 6:23; Ps. 127:3;
128:3).

Figuratively the name is used for those who are ignorant or
narrow-minded (Matt. 11:16; Luke 7:32; 1 Cor. 13:11). "When I
was a child, I spake as a child." "Brethren, be not children in
understanding" (1 Cor. 14:20). "That we henceforth be no more
children, tossed to and fro" (Eph. 4:14).

Children are also spoken of as representing simplicity and
humility (Matt. 19:13-15; Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15-17).
Believers are "children of light" (Luke 16:8; 1 Thess. 5:5) and
"children of obedience" (1 Pet. 1:14).

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Child \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.

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

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.

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.

From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)

child
n 1: a young person of either sex (between birth and puberty);
"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"


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