Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Young?

\Young\ (y[u^]ng), a. [Compar. {Younger} (y[u^][ng]"g[~e]r); superl. {Youngest} (-g[e^]st).] [OE. yung, yong, [yogh]ong, [yogh]ung, AS. geong; akin to OFries. iung, iong, D. joing, OS., OHG., & G. jung, Icel. ungr, Sw. & Dan. ung, Goth. juggs, Lith. jaunas, Russ. iunuii, L. juvencus, juvenis, Skr. juva[,c]a, juvan. [root]281. Cf. {Junior}, {Juniper}, {Juvenile}, {Younker}, {Youth}.] 1. Not long born; still in the first part of life; not yet arrived at adolescence, maturity, or age; not old; juvenile; -- said of animals; as, a young child; a young man; a young fawn. For he so young and tender was of age. --Chaucer. ``Whom the gods love, die young,'' has been too long carelessly said; . . . whom the gods love, live young forever. --Mrs. H. H. Jackson. 2. Being in the first part, pr period, of growth; as, a young plant; a young tree. While the fears of the people were young. --De Foe. 3. Having little experience; inexperienced; unpracticed; ignorant; weak. Come, come, elder brother, you are too young in this. --Shak.
\Young\, n. The offspring of animals, either a single animal or offspring collectively. [The egg] bursting with kindly rupture, forth disclosed Their callow young. --Milton. {With young}, with child; pregnant.