Having the characteristics or qualities of a child; childlike, innocent, or youthful in manner.
From Scottish 'bairn' (child) + '-ly' (adjectival suffix). This word formation directly parallels English adjectives like 'scholarly' or 'kingly,' adapting the Scottish word for child into descriptive usage.
The '-ly' suffix usually makes adverbs in English, but here it creates an adjective—showing how Scottish and English follow slightly different grammar rules, which is why 'bairnly' sounds a bit unusual to modern English speakers.
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