puerility

[ pyoo-uh-ril-i-tee, pyoo-ril- ]

noun

, plural pu·er·il·i·ties.

1. the state or quality of being a child.
2. the quality of being puerile; childish foolishness or triviality.
3. a puerile act, idea, remark, etc.:

   an inexcusable puerility.

Other Words From

• nonpu·er·ili·ty noun plural nonpuerilities

Word History and Origins

Origin of puerility¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English word from Latin word puerīlitās. See puerile, -ity

Example Sentences

I must not say David: he, to be sure, is far above any such puerility.

From Project Gutenberg

A long pinafore, and a child's cap, are employed to carry out the theory of his puerility.

From Project Gutenberg

The habits and dress of the people have always been primitive, and their laws simple to puerility.

From Project Gutenberg

And we bolster up our satisfaction by pointing to some mistake of logic or some puerility of statement.

From Project Gutenberg

Eternal puerility of penal repressions applied to things of the soul!

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• absurdity
• apathy
• idiocy
• ignorance
• lunacy
• nonsense
• silliness