noun
beautiful boy; pretty boy; handsome boy
Literary term for a beautiful young boy. Cross-referenced with 美少年, which is the common modern word.
See also: 美少年
その絵には美童が描かれている。
A beautiful boy is depicted in that painting.
noun
beautiful young man; beautiful young woman
Rare literary extension to young adults of either gender. Modern Japanese would normally use 美青年 or 美女.
古典文学では「美童」が若い男女を指すこともある。
In classical literature, 美童 can sometimes refer to a beautiful young man or woman.
Standard word for a beautiful woman; 美童 is a rare literary term that can include women.
Compound of 美 (beauty) and 童 (child). The exact historical derivation is uncertain; it is a literary term not in common modern use.