The Synonymous Words for Child, Children, etc. - Appendix to the Companion Bible

108. THE SYNONYMOUS WORDS
FOR
"CHILD", "CHILDREN", ETC.

There are seven Greek words translated "child" in the N.T., which are to be distinguished as follows :--

teknon = that which is borne or born (from tikto, to bring forth). Anglo-Saxon = bearn, from beran, to bear. Hence, Scottish bairn. Used of a child by natural descent, whether boy or girl.
teknion. Diminutive of teknon (No. i, above); a term of endearment.
hutos = a son, or male, having reference to origin and nature, including that of relationship to the father.
pais = a child, whether son or daughter (in relation to law); a boy or girl (in relation to age); a servant, or maid (in relation to condition), like the French garcon.
paidion. Diminutive of pais (No. iv, above); hence, a young or little child, an infant; also a term of endearment.
paidarion. Another diminutive of pais (No. iv, above), a lad; a little boy or girl.
nepios. Not old enough to speak (from ne, negative, and epo, to speak).
brephos. an embryo, or newly-born babe.
korasion = a young girl, or maiden. Diminutive of kore, a girl; like paidion, used as a term of endearment.
neaniskos = a young man (always so translated), from the age of twenty to forty.

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