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 Words From

• 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

This allows them to learn essential skills, including caring for infants and cooking as well as hunting and gathering, through a process that is often subtle and nonverbal.

From Science Daily

But in infants and seniors, these viruses can cause severe pneumonia and even death.

From Science Daily

The disease affects roughly 24 million people a year worldwide and primarily impacts infants and those with weakened immune systems.

From Science Daily

Letby, 34, from Hereford, is serving 15 whole-life orders after she was convicted at Manchester Crown Court of murdering seven infants and attempting to murder seven others, with two attempts on one of her victims.

From BBC

A senior coroner has warned that more babies could die unless "action is taken", following the deaths of three infants who had received contaminated feed while being cared for in hospital.

From BBC

Related Words

• child
• kid
• newborn
• toddler