also: まなご
noun
beloved child; dear child
A somewhat literary or emotional term for a child who is deeply loved, often used in poetic or affectionate contexts.
彼女は愛し子を胸に抱きしめた。
She held her beloved child tightly to her chest.
その詩は、失った愛し子への想いを綴っている。
The poem expresses feelings for a lost dear child.
Alternate kanji spelling; can also be read まなご.
Rare reading まなご for the kanji 愛子.
Compound of 愛し (itoshii, 'dear, beloved') + 子 (ko, 'child'). The reading まなご is from 愛 (mana, an old root meaning 'dear') + 子 (ko).