teknon

Teknon (τεκνον) is an Ancient Greek noun meaning "child" or "son." It is a neuter noun of the second declension and is attested across Classical Greek, continuing into Koine Greek in the Septuagint and early Christian writings. The term denotes an offspring within a family and, in many contexts, simply refers to a child without specifying gender.

Etymology and scope: Tekon is found in a wide range of genres, from history and philosophy to poetry and religious texts. In classical authors it appears in ordinary familial language as well as in legal and social discussions about parentage and inheritance. It can be used generically as "the child of X" or in affectionate address such as "my child." In theological contexts, teknon may occur alongside other terms for offspring, though the more specialized word for "son" in religious discourse is huios.

Usage and forms: Teknon is declined as a neuter noun, with a plural form often rendered as tekna. In standard Modern Greek, the word survives mainly in literary or historical contexts, while the common modern term for "child" is paidí. The semantic range of teknon thus covers a general offspring as well as a specific filial relationship, depending on context.

See also: Greek language; Ancient Greek grammar; Koine Greek; Septuagint; New Testament Greek.