child-like

comparative more child-like · superlative most child-like

1. alternativeAlternative spelling of childlike.

   There is no frightful guest in the house, but only a poor, gentle, child-like man, whom I believe to be Cousin Hepzibah’s brother.

   1851 April 9, Nathaniel Hawthorne, “The Pyncheon of To-day”, in The House of the Seven Gables, a Romance, Boston, Mass.: Ticknor, Reed, and Fields, →OCLC, page 136

   1 more example

   When a child, with child-like apprehensions, that dived not below the surface of the matter, I read those Parables—not guessing at their involved wisdom—I had more yearnings towards that simple architect, that built his house upon the sand, than I entertained for his more cautious neighbour; […]

   1823, Elia [pseudonym; Charles Lamb], “All Fools’ Day”, in Elia. Essays which have Appeared under that Signature in The London Magazine, London: […] [Thomas Davison] for Taylor and Hessey, […], →OCLC, page 100