infant

[ in-fuhnt ]

noun

1. a child during the earliest period of their life, especially before they can walk; baby.
2. Law. a person who is not of full age, especially one who has not reached the age of 18 years; a minor.
3. a beginner, as in experience or learning; novice:

   The new candidate is a political infant.

4. anything in the first stage of existence or progress.

adjective

1. of or relating to infants or infancy:

   infant years.

2. being in infancy:

   an infant king.

3. being in the earliest stage:

   an infant industry.

4. of or relating to the legal state of infancy; minor.

infant

/ ˈɪnfənt /

noun

1. a child at the earliest stage of its life; baby
2. law another word for minor
3. a young schoolchild, usually under the age of seven
4. a person who is beginning or inexperienced in an activity
5. modifier
   1. of or relating to young children or infancy
   2. designed or intended for young children

adjective

1. in an early stage of development; nascent

   an infant science or industry

2. law of or relating to the legal status of infancy

Derived Forms

• ˈinfantˌhood, noun

Other Word Forms

• in·fant·hood noun
• in·fant·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of infant¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Latin infant- (stem of infāns ) “small child,” literally, “one unable to speak,” equivalent to in- in- ³ + -fāns, present participle of fārī “to speak”; replacing Middle English enfaunt, from Anglo-French, from Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of infant¹

C14: from Latin infāns, literally: speechless, from in- ¹+ fārī to speak

Example Sentences

People can bring up to 2kg per person of powdered infant milk, infant food, or special food needed for medical reasons.

From BBC

The hospital will also use the funds to train providers in infant and family mental health care and research the effectiveness of the program in the hopes that the model will spread to other hospitals.

From Los Angeles Times

According to Helen Cheyne, professor of maternal and infant health research at the University of Stirling, "it is not known" how a cryptic pregnancy like Bryony's can happen.

From BBC

Scientists already know these skills are critical - but they don't yet know at what point they are established in an infant brain.

From BBC

A wrong-way crash in Vermont Square on Monday night left two people dead, including an infant, and two in critical condition, police said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• child
• kid
• newborn
• toddler