infancy

American  

[in-fuhn-see] / ˈɪn fən si /

noun

PLURAL

infancies

1. the state or period of being an infant; very early childhood, usually the period before being able to walk; babyhood.

2. the corresponding period in the existence of anything; very early stage.

   Space science is in its infancy.

3. infants collectively.

4. Law. the period of life to the age of majority, 21 years at common law but now usually 18; minority; nonage.

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infancy British  

/ ˈɪnfənsɪ /

noun

1. the state or period of being an infant; childhood

2. an early stage of growth or development

3. infants collectively

4. the period of life prior to attaining legal majority (reached at 21 under common law, at 18 by statute); minority nonage

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Etymology

Origin of infancy

From the Latin word infantia, dating back to 1485–95. See infant, -cy

Example Sentences

From infancy through childhood, the brain is shaped by "network consolidation."

From Science Daily

The Alberta pipeline plan is in its infancy and may never move forward.

From Barron's

When the internet was in its infancy, IP addresses were invented as a way to identify devices connected to it.

From The Wall Street Journal

He focused on AI, a field where peer-reviewed research is still in its infancy and the hunger for data is insatiable.

From The Wall Street Journal

Plans to fuel industry via hydrogen in Germany are still in their infancy, with the construction of the first hydrogen pipeline network approved last December.

From Reuters

Related Words

• inception