godchildn.
/ˈɡɒdtʃʌɪld/, U.S. /ˈɡɑdˌtʃaɪld/ A godson or god-daughter; a person considered in relation to his or her godparent or godparents. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > kinsman or relation > child > [noun] > godchild
godchild?c1225
god-bairn1558
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 156 To longe abiden. ne teachen pater noster godchild ne crede.
1417 in F. J. Furnivall Fifty Earliest Eng. Wills (1882) 39 Euere god-chyld þat y haue.
a1450 (?a1390) J. Mirk Instr. Parish Priests (Claud.) (1974) l. 152 (MED) Godfader and godmoder þou moste preche Þat þey here godchyldere to gode teche.
1546 J. Heywood Dialogue Prouerbes Eng. Tongue ii. vii. sig. K Ye haue many godchyldren.
1620 Hæc-vir sig. A4 I can but referre you to your God-child that carries your own name, I meane the Booke of Hic-Mulier.
1695 J. Stevens tr. M. de Faria e Sousa Portugues Asia III. iii. xiv. 273 The Viceroy..was his Godfather in Baptism, giving him the Name of Andrew because it was on that Apostle's day, and the Sirname of Azevedo as his Godchild.
1791 J. Boswell Life Johnson anno 1784 II. 488 His gentleness..to a young lady his god-child.
1834 S. T. Coleridge Let. 13 July in Lit. Remains (1838) III. 420 My dear Godchild, I offer up the same fervent prayer for you now.
1894 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 28 Apr. 918/2 We congratulate Dr. Charpentier upon his god child.
1960 T. Williams Let. 10 Aug. in Five O'Clock Angel (1991) 165 I like having a god-child but I would love to have a niece or a nephew.
2004 Guardian 21 Jan. ii. 11/3 My six godchildren have received no religious instruction from me.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2014; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.?c1225