child \child\ chimacld, n.; pl. children
   chi^l"dre^n. as. cild, pl. cildru; cf. goth.
   kilthornei womb, in-kilthorn=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.
      1913 webster

   2. a descendant, however remote; -- used esp. in the plural;
      as, the children of israel; the children of edom.
      1913 webster

   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.
      1913 webster

   4. a noble youth. see childe. obs. --chaucer.
      1913 webster

   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.
      1913 webster

            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.
      1913 webster

   6. a female infant. obs.
      1913 webster

            a boy or a child, i wonder?           --shak.
      1913 webster

   to be with child, to be pregnant.

   child's play, light work; a trifling contest.
      1913 webster
see also:
children childe to be with child child's play