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A descendant, however remote; -- used esp. in the plural; as, the children of Israel; the children of Edom.

A scientific study of children, undertaken for the purpose of discovering the laws of development of the body and the mind from birth to manhood.

The act of producing or bringing forth children; parturition. Milton. Addison.

The state of a woman bringing forth a child, or being in labor; parturition.

The act of bringing forth a child; travail; labor. Jer. Taylor.

The crowing noise made by children affected with spasm of the laryngeal muscles; false croup.

name by the oldest son, until he succeeded to his ancestral titles, or was knighted; as, Childe Roland.

Furnished with a child. [Obs.]

A day (December 28) observed by mass or festival in commemoration of the children slain by Herod at Bethlehem; -- called also Holy Innocent's Day.

The state of being a child; the time in which persons are children; the condition or time from infancy to puberty. I have walked before you from my childhood. 1. Sam. xii. 2.

Bearing Children; (Fig.) productive; fruitful. [R.] Shak.

Of, pertaining to, befitting, or resembling, a child. "Childish innocence." Macaulay.

In the manner of a child; in a trifling way; in a weak or foolish manner.

The state or quality of being childish; simplicity; harmlessness; weakness of intellect.

The state of being childless.

Resembling a child, or that which belongs to children; becoming a child; meek; submissive; dutiful. "Childlike obedience." Hooker.

Having tthe character of a child; belonging, or appropriate, to a child. Gower.

The manner characteristic of a child. [Obs.] "Varying childness." Shak.

pl. of Child.

The state or relation of being a child.