CHILD Meaning and
Definition
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Child is a noun that refers to a young human being who is under the legal or recognized age of adulthood, typically between the birth and teenage years. This definition may vary depending on cultural and legal contexts, but generally, a child is considered to be an individual who has not yet reached the age of maturity or legal accountability. The age range defining childhood can differ across countries, with most jurisdictions setting it between birth and 18 years old.
Children are characterized by their vulnerability, dependence on adults for care and support, and their ongoing physical, mental, and emotional growth and development. This stage of human life is often associated with innocence, curiosity, and a sense of wonder. Children typically undergo various stages of cognitive, social, and emotional development as they progress towards adulthood.
In addition to biological offspring, the term 'child' can also be used to refer to a young person, regardless of their genetic connection, in a more general sense. A child is often seen as someone who requires protection, guidance, and the fulfillment of basic needs, such as nourishment, shelter, education, and healthcare. Society places an immense emphasis on the care and well-being of children, recognizing their unique status and the importance of fostering their healthy development into responsible and capable adults.
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A young person, one who has not arrived at the age of puberty.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Top Common Misspellings for CHILD *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for CHILD
Etymology of CHILD
The word "child" has its origins in Old English. It comes from the Old English word "cild" or "child" which meant a young human being or offspring. It is believed to have been derived from the Proto-Germanic word "kiltham" or "kultham" which referred to a womb or a swelling. This word is further connected to the Proto-Indo-European root "*gel-", which meant to be pregnant or to give birth. Through the development of different languages, "child" has remained relatively consistent in its meaning and usage.
Idioms with the word CHILD
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with child
The idiom "with child" is a euphemistic expression used to indicate that a woman is pregnant.
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love child
The idiom "love child" refers to a child born out of wedlock or conceived as a result of an extramarital affair. It typically implies that the child's parents were involved in a passionate or romantic relationship outside of their respective commitments.
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poster child
The idiom "poster child" refers to a person or thing that typifies or represents a particular cause, organization, movement, or characteristic exceptionally well. It is often used to describe someone who perfectly embodies the qualities, values, or image that an organization or cause wants to promote.
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problem child
The idiom "problem child" refers to a person, thing, or situation that consistently causes difficulties, challenges, or troubles. It typically describes someone or something that is disruptive, troublesome, or hard to manage.
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be with child
The idiom "be with child" is an older term used to say that a woman is pregnant. It is an expression used to describe when a female is in a state of expecting a baby or is carrying a child in her womb.
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child is father of the man
The idiom "child is father of the man" means that a person's characteristics and beliefs are often shaped during childhood and stay with them as they grow older. This phrase suggests that the personality traits and behaviors developed in early life play a significant role in shaping an individual's adult life and identity.
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a latchkey child/kid
A latchkey child/kid refers to a child who is regularly left at home unsupervised because their parents are working or otherwise occupied. The term originated from the latchkey system, where children would wear a key to their house around their necks and let themselves in after school.
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heavy with child
The idiom "heavy with child" is used to describe a woman who is in an advanced stage of pregnancy, typically when the physical weight and discomfort of carrying the unborn baby is particularly noticeable.
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(great) with child
The idiom "(great) with child" means being pregnant or expecting a baby.
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spare the rod and spoil the child
The idiom "spare the rod and spoil the child" refers to the belief that if you do not discipline or reprimand a child when they misbehave, they will grow up spoiled, undisciplined, or lacking boundaries. It implies that the absence of strict discipline leads to negative outcomes in a child's behavior or character development.
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the child/house/mother, etc. from hell
The idiom "the child/house/mother, etc. from hell" refers to an individual or thing that is extremely difficult, troublesome, or unpleasant. It implies that the person or object in question exhibits exceptionally challenging behavior or characteristics, often causing distress or frustration. The phrase draws upon the concept of hell, a place associated with chaos and suffering, to emphasize the severity of the situation.
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latchkey child
The idiom "latchkey child" refers to a child who regularly returns home from school to an empty house or apartment because their parents or guardians are away at work. This term originated from the practice of children wearing a key around their necks, allowing them to unlock the door and let themselves in after school, without adult supervision. The idiom has come to symbolize children who spend significant amounts of unsupervised time at home due to their parents' work schedule or other commitments.
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poster child (for sth)
The idiom "poster child (for sth)" refers to a person or thing that epitomizes or represents a particular characteristic, quality, or situation. It is usually used in a positive context to describe someone or something that perfectly exemplifies a certain concept, cause, or condition. The term originates from the practice of featuring a particularly photogenic or exemplary child on a poster or other promotional material, thus becoming the face or symbol of a campaign or movement.
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a poster child for something
The idiom "a poster child for something" refers to a person or thing that epitomizes or represents a particular quality, characteristic, cause, or situation. It is often used to imply that the person or thing is an ideal or perfect example of whatever is being discussed or promoted.
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neither chick nor child
The idiom "neither chick nor child" refers to someone who does not have any children or dependents. It implies a state of not having any familial responsibilities or obligations.
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Monday's child is fair of face
The idiom "Monday's child is fair of face" is taken from a traditional nursery rhyme and is used to describe someone who is believed to be attractive or beautiful if they were born on a Monday. It implies that people born on this day possess appealing physical features or an attractive appearance.
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a love child
The idiom "a love child" refers to a child who is born out of wedlock or as a result of a romantic or sexual relationship between two individuals who are not married to each other. It implies that the child's conception and birth were not within the confines of traditional or socially accepted norms.
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expecting (a child)
The idiom "expecting (a child)" is used to refer to a woman who is pregnant and will soon give birth to a baby. It signifies the anticipation and anticipation associated with the pregnancy.
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It is a wise child that knows its own father.
The idiom "It is a wise child that knows its own father" is used to imply that it is important for a child to know and recognize their true parentage. It suggests that a child who is aware of and has a close relationship with their father is considered intelligent or insightful. However, the idiom can also be interpreted metaphorically to mean that it takes wisdom and discernment to determine who or what influences or guides one's life.
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like a child in a sweet shop
The idiom "like a child in a sweet shop" is used to describe someone who is extremely excited, enthusiastic, and eager about something, akin to how a child would feel while being in a candy store. It conveys the notion of being overwhelmed by the abundance of choices, possibilities, or opportunities, and experiencing pure joy and delight.
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like a child in a sweetshop
The idiom "like a child in a sweetshop" refers to someone who is extremely excited, thrilled, or overjoyed about something, expressing the same joy and enthusiasm as a child visiting a candy store or sweetshop. It implies an uncontainable excitement and a sense of delight or wonder.
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big with child
The idiom "big with child" means being visibly or noticeably pregnant. It refers to a woman who is in an advanced stage of pregnancy and has a prominent baby bump.
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the child is father of the man
The idiom "the child is father of the man" means that the personality and characteristics developed in childhood have a significant influence on an individual's later life as an adult. It implies that the experiences and upbringing during one's formative years shape and determine their future behavior, attitudes, and beliefs.
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boomerang child
The idiom "boomerang child" refers to a situation where a young adult, typically in their 20s or 30s, who moves out of their parents' home to live independently but eventually returns to live with their parents again.
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the child, etc. from hell
The idiom "the child (or any individual) from hell" refers to someone who is exceptionally difficult, misbehaved, or challenging to deal with. It is used figuratively to emphasize how troublesome or problematic that person is, often implying that their behavior or actions are unbearable or extreme.
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A burnt child dreads the fire.
The idiom "A burnt child dreads the fire" means that someone who has personally experienced harm or negative consequences from a specific situation or action will be cautious and wary of getting involved in similar situations or actions in the future. It implies that past negative experiences have led to a lasting fear or aversion towards a particular thing or behavior.
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be like a child in a sweetshop
The idiom "be like a child in a sweetshop" refers to feeling extremely excited or delighted, often when presented with a wide variety of choices or opportunities. It signifies a sense of overwhelming joy and wonder, similar to that of a child in a candy store or sweetshop, where they are surrounded by numerous tasty treats and find it difficult to decide which one to choose.
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poster child (for something)
The idiom "poster child (for something)" refers to a person or thing that is seen as the perfect representative or example of a particular condition, quality, or cause. It often implies that the person or thing perfectly embodies or symbolizes the desired attributes or characteristics associated with a specific concept or issue. The phrase "poster child" originated from the use of actual photographs or images of children to promote a cause, such as charity or social awareness, through posters or other forms of advertising.
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poster child/boy/girl
An individual who represents or embodies a particular cause, organization, or group.
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child's play
Something that is very easy or simple to do; something that requires very little effort or skill.
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be child's play
"Be child's play" is an idiom that means something is very easy to do or accomplish. It refers to a task or activity that is so simple that even a child could do it.
Similar spelling words for CHILD
- chaldea,
- shield,
- chill,
- chelate,
- chalet,
- chilly,
- chiliad,
- cheloid,
- chad,
- chilled,
- chaldee,
- chili,
- chaldaea,
- chilli,
- chile.
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