infantilism
Americannoun
-
the persistence in an adult of markedly childish anatomical, physiological, or psychological characteristics.
-
an infantile act, trait, etc., especially in an adult.
-
a speech disorder characterized by speech and voice patterns that are typical of very young children.
noun
-
psychol
-
a condition in which an older child or adult is mentally or physically undeveloped
-
isolated instances of infantile behaviour in mature persons
-
-
childish speech; baby talk
Etymology
Origin of infantilism
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
On the other hand, the urgency, almost the desperation, to return feels like a microcosm of our national infantilism when faced with the need for self-discipline and deferred or denied gratification.
From Washington Post ● Jul. 24, 2020
Not even Tolkien’s vast philological scholarship, his deep knowledge of mythology, and his world-building skills could impress what Moorcock and company saw as a troublesome infantilism inherent in Tolkien’s work.
From The New Yorker ● Dec. 31, 2014
Even my son’s embarrassed by the infantilism of my tastes, but there’s some good stuff out there now.
From The Guardian ● Oct. 25, 2014
“I Dream of Jeannie” is certainly far more anachronistic, yet its infantilism is somehow invincible, imperturbable, timeless.
From New York Times ● Jun. 3, 2011
In all three of the cases concerning whom I have precise information, among those whose histories are recorded in the present chapter, there is more or less arrested development and infantilism.
From Studies in the Psychology of Sex, Volume 2 Sexual Inversion by Havelock Ellis
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
