to be with child

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Child \Child\ (ch[imac]ld), n.; pl. {Children}
   (ch[i^]l"dr[e^]n). [AS. cild, pl. cildru; cf. Goth.
   kil[thorn]ei womb, in-kil[thorn][=o] with child.]
   1. A son or a daughter; a male or female descendant, in the
      first degree; the immediate progeny of human parents; --
      in law, legitimate offspring. Used also of animals and
      plants.
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   2. A descendant, however remote; -- used esp. in the plural;
      as, the children of Israel; the children of Edom.
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   3. One who, by character of practice, shows signs of
      relationship to, or of the influence of, another; one
      closely connected with a place, occupation, character,
      etc.; as, a child of God; a child of the devil; a child of
      disobedience; a child of toil; a child of the people.
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   4. A noble youth. See {Childe}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
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   5. A young person of either sex. esp. one between infancy and
      youth; hence, one who exhibits the characteristics of a
      very young person, as innocence, obedience, trustfulness,
      limited understanding, etc.
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            When I was child. I spake as a child, I understood
            as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became
            a man, I put away childish things.    --1. Cor. xii.
                                                  11.
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   6. A female infant. [Obs.]
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            A boy or a child, I wonder?           --Shak.
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   {To be with child}, to be pregnant.

   {Child's play}, light work; a trifling contest.
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