nonage

[ non-ij, noh-nij ]

noun

1. the period of legal minority, or of an age below 21.
2. any period of immaturity.

nonage

/ ˈnəʊnɪdʒ /

noun

1. law the state of being under any of various ages at which a person may legally enter into certain transactions, such as the making of binding contracts, marrying, etc
2. any period of immaturity

Word History and Origins

Origin of nonage¹

1350–1400; late Middle English < Middle French ( non-, age ); replacing Middle English nownage < Anglo-French nounage; Middle French as above

Example Sentences

The stories are ideal for short trips, and the collection will appeal to listeners from nonage to senectitude, as long as they enjoy justice meted out with merry malice.

From Washington Post

The charters were not avoidable for the king's nonage.

From Project Gutenberg

The youth in his nonage, and the gray-haired and very aged man were there.

From Project Gutenberg

That assumption of mannishness which sat so prettily on his nonage was rendered inconspicuous by his majority.

From Project Gutenberg

I could see no reason for a nom de plume in the case of "Gretchen" or the other novel of nonage; with the "Child of Misery" it was different.

From Project Gutenberg