First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1infant
noun in·fant \ˈin-fənt\
: a very young child
Full Definition of INFANT
1
: a child in the first period of life
2
: a person who is not of full age : minor
See infant defined for English-language learners
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Origin of INFANT
Middle English enfaunt, from Anglo-French enfant, from Latin infant-, infans, from infant-, infans, adjective, incapable of speech, young, from in- + fant-, fans, present participle of fari to speak — more at ban
2infant
adjective
: made or suitable for babies
: of, relating to, or for children between the ages of about four and seven
: very new and still developing
Full Definition of INFANT
1
: intended for young children
2
: being in an early stage of development
3
: of, relating to, or being in infancy
See infant defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of INFANT
circa 1586
INFANTS Defined for Kids
1infant
noun in·fant \ˈin-fənt\
Definition of INFANT for Kids
1
: a child in the first period of life : baby
2
: 2minor
Word History of INFANT
To the parent of a crying infant unable to say what the problem is, the etymology of infant might seem very appropriate. In Latin the adjective infans literally meant “not speaking, incapable of speech.” The noun infans referred to a very young child who had not yet learned to talk. Later, however, the scope of infans was broadened to include any child, no matter how talkative. When the word was adopted from Latin into French, and then into English, the broader usage was carried over also. Over time, English went back to the earlier Latin sense, restricting infant to a child still young enough to be called a baby.
2infant
adjective
Definition of INFANT for Kids
1
: of or relating to infancy
2
: intended for young children <infant clothes>
Medical Dictionary
infant
noun in·fant \ˈin-fənt\
Medical Definition of INFANT
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