Defn: 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.
CHILDHOOD Child"hood, n. Etym: [AS. cildhad; cild child + -had. See Child, and hood.]
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.
2. Children, taken collectively. [R.] The well-governed childhood of this realm. Sir. W. Scott.
3. The commencement; the first period. The childhood of our joy. Shak. Second childhood, the state of being feeble and incapable from old age.
CHILDING
Child"ing, a. Etym: [See Child, v. i.]
Defn: Bearing Children; (Fig.) productive; fruitful. [R.] Shak.
CHILDISH
Child"ish, a.
1. Of, pertaining to, befitting, or resembling, a child. "Childish innocence." Macaulay.
2. Peurile; trifling; weak. Methinks that simplicity in her countenance is rather childish than innocent. Addison.