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childlike

adjective

No English definition recorded for this entry.

L335293 on Wikidata ↗

Wiktionary

Pronunciation: /ˈt͡ʃaɪldlaɪk/

adj

Etymology: Etymology tree English child Proto-Indo-European *leyg-der. Proto-Germanic *līkąder. Proto-Germanic *-līkaz Proto-West Germanic *-līk Old English -līċ Middle English -like English -like English childlike From child + -like.

  1. Innocent and trustful; credulous; artless.

    According to the prevailing Danish rationale, Greenlanders were naïve and childlike, in need of protection and incapable of governing themselves.

  2. Of, like, or suitable for a child.

    Even Mario is given childlike mannerisms – running open-armed like a fearless toddler, whooping with delight – to convey playful innocence.