What does "childhood" mean?

Childhood: Sam. xii.

Additional senses

  1. 2.2. Children, taken collectively. [R.] The well-governed childhood of this realm. Sir. W. Scott.
  2. 3.The commencement; the first period. The childhood of our joy. Shak. Second childhood, the state of being feeble and incapable from old age.

Sources