Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

offspring

 - 5 dictionary results

off⋅spring

  [awf-spring, of-]
Use offspring in a Sentence
–noun, plural -spring, -springs.
1. children or young of a particular parent or progenitor.
2. a child or animal in relation to its parent or parents.
3. a descendant.
4. descendants collectively.
5. the product, result, or effect of something: the offspring of an inventive mind.
Origin:
bef. 950; ME; OE ofspring; see off, of 1 , spring ( v. )
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To offspring
off·spring   (ôf'sprĭng', ŏf'-)   
n.   pl. offspring

  1. The progeny or descendants of a person, animal, or plant considered as a group.

  2. A child of particular parentage.

  3. A result; a product.


[Middle English ofspring, from Old English : of, off; see off + springan, to rise.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

offspring 
O.E. ofspring "children or young collectively, descendants," lit. "those who spring off (someone,)" from off + springan "to spring" (see spring (v.)). The fig. sense is first recorded 1609.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: off·spring
Pronunciation: 'of-"spri[ng]
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural offspring also offsprings
: the progeny of an animal or plant : YOUNG
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

offspring off·spring (ôf'sprĭng')
n.

  1. The progeny or descendants of a person, an animal, or a plant considered as a group.

  2. A child of particular parentage.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see offspring on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way