rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryoffspringChildren or young
noun

offspring

AWF-spring/ˈɔːfsprɪŋ/

A person's children or an animal's young.

The mother cat lies on her side, nursing her offspring.

A mother cat lies on her side while her tiny kittens nurse, making the parent–young relationship directly visible.
Etymology
offOld Englishaway from
+springOld Englishto spring, grow

The pieces picture young as those who “spring off” a parent. Spring here evokes coming forth or growing, making offspring the new life that comes from an existing person, animal, or plant.

In context

YaleCourses1:39
if an individual can help its relatives to survive and reproduce and if the increase in the number of its genes in the next generation through offspring of relatives
7.3 - Reproduction: Parent-offspring conflict

More examples

  • Parents often recognize their own habits in their offspring.
  • The mare stays close to her only offspring.
  • Some birds feed their offspring insects.

Forms

offspring

Similar words

children
The everyday choice for a person's sons or daughters.
young
Usually refers to animals that are not yet mature.
progeny
A more formal term, often used in breeding contexts.