01 n. The state of being a child; the time in which persons are children; the condition or time from infancy to puberty.
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1.
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.
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2.
Children, taken collectively.[R.]“The well-governed childhood of this realm.” — Sir. W. Scott.
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3.
The commencement; the first period.“The childhood of our joy.” — Shak.
Phrases & compounds
Second childhood —
the state of being feeble and incapable from old age.