adj. & n.
adj. (younger; youngest) 1 not far advanced in life, development, or existence; not yet old. 2 immature or inexperienced. 3 felt in or characteristic of youth (young love; young ambition). 4 representing young people (Young Conservatives; Young England). 5 distinguishing a son from his father (young Jones). 6 (younger) a distinguishing one person from another of the same name (the younger Pitt). b Sc. the heir of a landed commoner.
n. (collect.) offspring, esp. of animals before or soon after birth. with young (of an animal) pregnant. young blood see BLOOD. younger hand Cards the second player of two. young fustic see FUSTIC. young hopeful see HOPEFUL. young idea the child's mind. young lady colloq. a girlfriend or sweetheart. young man a boyfriend or sweetheart. young person Law (in the UK) a person generally between 14 and 17 years of age. Young Pretender Charles Stuart (1720-80), grandson of James II and claimant to the British throne. young thing archaic or colloq. an indulgent term for a young person. Young Turk 1 a member of a revolutionary party in Turkey in 1908. 2 a young person eager for radical change to the established order. young turk offens. a violent child or youth. young 'un colloq. a youngster. young woman colloq. a girlfriend or sweetheart. youngish adj. youngling n.
[ OE g(e)ong f. Gmc ]