nonage

American  

[non-ij, noh-nij] / ˈnɒn ɪdʒ, ˈnoʊ nɪdʒ /

noun

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

2. any period of immaturity.

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nonage British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of nonage

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

Example Sentences

Nonage, non′āj, n. legal infancy, minority: time of immaturity generally.—adj.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) by Various

Ever in Nonage, canst no Right transfer: But who made Bentir thy Executor?

From Selected Poems (1685-1700) by Tutchin, John

Nonage is their final destiny; and manhood, in this respect, is for them a pure idea.

From Autobiographical Sketches by De Quincey, Thomas