childly

English

Etymology

From Middle English childly, childlich, childli, from Old English ċildlīċ (“childly, childlish”), equivalent to child +‎ -ly.

Adjective

childly (comparative more childly, superlative most childly)

  1. Of or pertaining to a young child; childlike
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Gower to this entry?)

Usage notes

Childly has a positive connotation, as opposed to the sometimes pejorative childish.

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