Pais / παῖς: Child / servant?

Question

Hi there. 

Every time the word pais /παῖς is used in the Bible it either means "child" or "servant." Is this the only definition of that word or can it defined in other ways? 

Some have suggested that it can mean "lover" as well. Has the word taken on that meaning (i.e. "lover") either in the past or in its present state? 

Thanks in advance for your help.

Answer 1

Both these meanings for παῖς (child or servant) are correct.  But the meaning of "lover" is not accurate. 

Παῖς did, however, also mean the young lad or young girl, virgin (so maybe this is why it might has been related to lover's meaning, but παῖς is not the lover).

In modern Greek, the word in use is παιδί and its meaning is "child, kid". A really obsolete meaning is "boy" or "son", as opposed to girl or daughter.

Mainly in plural, παιδιά, except for children, it also means "guys", as a familiar address between children or adults.

example: παιδιά, πάμε μια βόλτα = Guys, shall we go for a walk?

Comments

Thanks once again for your help. I appreciate it. Take care.