tʃaɪld n. (pl. children) 1 a a
young human being below the age of
puberty. b an
unborn or
newborn human being. 2 one's
son or
daughter (at
any age). 3 (foll. by of) a
descendant,
follower,
adherent, or
product of (children of Israel; child of
God; child of nature). 4 a
childish person. øchild
abuse maltreatment of a child,
esp. by
physical violence or
sexual interference. child
benefit (in the UK)
regular payment by the
State to the parents of a child up to a
certain age. child
care the care of
children, esp. by a
local authority. child-minder a person
who looks
after children
for payment. child's
play an
easy task. øøchildless adj. childlessness n. [OE cild]