(chīld) noun plural chil·dren
1. An offspring of either sex of human parents; a son or daughter.
2. A young person of either sex at any age less than maturity, but most commonly one between infancy and youth.
3. A descendant in any degree: the Children of Israel.
4. A childish person; one immature in judgment or discretion.
5. A person or thing considered as an offspring or product: Poems are the children of fancy.
6. A follower or disciple.
7. Law A legitimate son or daughter. In some States, as in Louisiana, the term includes all descendants in the direct line.
—with child Pregnant; enceinte. [OE cild]
—child′less adjective

(chīld), Francis James,
1825–96, American scholar; authority on the English and Scottish ballad.