Contents
English
Etymology
From Old English ofspring "children or young collectively, descendants, literally those who spring off (someone)", itself from off + springan "to spring, burst forth"
Pronunciation
Noun
offspring (plural offspring or offsprings)
- A person's daughter(s) and/or son(s)
- All a person's descendants, including further generations
- An animal or plant's progeny, known as young
- (figuratively) Another produce, result of an entity's efforts
- Artists often treasure their works as their immortal offspring
- (computing) A process launched by another process
Usage notes
- The form offsprings is also used for the plural, especially the computing sense.
Synonyms
- (daughter(s) and/or son(s)): baby/babies, child/children, issue (plural only; not used in singular form), get
- (all descendants): descendants, lineage, progeny, get
Antonyms
- (daughter(s) and/or son(s)): genitor (rare), parent, progenitor, father (male), mother (female)
- (descendants): ancestors, forbears/forebears, forefathers
Derived terms
- donor offspring
- parent-offspring conflict
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