youth
youth \'yu:th\ \'yu:thz, 'yu:ths\ n or youths [ME youthe, fr. OE geoguth; akin to OE geong young - more a] pl t YOUNG 1: the time of life marked by growth and development; esp : the per iod between childhood and maturity 2a: a young person; esp : a young male between adolescence and matu rity 2b: young persons or creatures - usu. pl. in constr. 3: YOUTHFULNESS