noun
- a child during the earliest period of its life, especially before he or she can walk; baby.
- Law. a person who is not of full age, especially one who has not reached the age of 18 years; a minor.
- a beginner, as in experience or learning; novice: The new candidate is a political infant.
- anything in the first stage of existence or progress.
adjective
- of or relating to infants or infancy: infant years.
- being in infancy: an infant king.
- being in the earliest stage: an infant industry.
- of or relating to the legal state of infancy; minor.
noun
- a child at the earliest stage of its life; baby
- law another word for minor (def. 10)
- British a young schoolchild, usually under the age of seven
- a person who is beginning or inexperienced in an activity
- (modifier)
- of or relating to young children or infancy
- designed or intended for young children
adjective
- in an early stage of development; nascentan infant science or industry
- law of or relating to the legal status of infancy
late 14c., “child during earliest period of life” (sometimes extended to age 7 and sometimes including a fetus), from Latin infantem (nominative infans) “young child, babe in arms,” noun use of adjective meaning “not able to speak,” from in- “not, opposite of” (see in- (1)) + fans, present participle of fari “speak” (see fame (n.)). As an adjective, 1580s, from the noun.
n.
- A child in the earliest period of life, especially before he or she can walk.