A child. Cf. chicken, n. 4a. Now rare.

Cf. dilli-darling, n., dilling, n.

A term of endearment, sometimes equivalent to darling, sometimes, the youngest of a family, the last born. In modern dialects applied to the…

A dear or loved one; a darling, a pet, a favourite. Often as a term of endearment or form of address, esp. for a child.

transferred. Applied to persons. (in form cherub, plural cherubs) to a beautiful and innocent child.

A term of endearment: a darling.

colloquial. A young child; also as a term of endearment or affectionate form of address for a child or a woman (esp. a spouse). Now rare.

As a term of endearment or affectionate form of address, esp. for a woman or child. Also formerly: †a loved one, esp. a spouse (obsolete). Cf. chick…

Irish English. A dear or loved one; a darling, a pet, a favourite. Often as a term of endearment or form of address, esp. for a child. Cf. dotey, n.

In speech by or to young children: a young chicken or chick. Also as a term of endearment or affectionate form of address for a child or a woman. Cf…

A lamb brought up by hand; a pet-lamb. Also transferred.

A pet child or young animal.

As a form of address: little child; dear child.

A child; also as a term of endearment or affectionate form of address for a child or a woman.

As a term of endearment or affectionate form of address to a young child: darling, pet.

An expression of commiseration addressed to a child and jocularly to an adult; hence used as a meaningless term of address to children, etc.

figurative. In colloquial use (chiefly North American). (originally U.S.). As a term of endearment: sweetheart, darling. Also occasionally in plural.

A small child (esp. a child of the speaker); a sweetheart. Chiefly as a term of endearment or affectionate form of address.

In Jewish use: a term of endearment or form of address, esp. for a child or elderly relative; ‘sweetheart’, ‘darling’, ‘honey’.