Dictionary.com
definitions

infancy

[ in-fuh n-see ]
/ ˈɪn fən si /
|
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR infancy ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural in·fan·cies.

the state or period of being an infant; very early childhood, usually the period before being able to walk; babyhood.
the corresponding period in the existence of anything; very early stage: Space science is in its infancy.
infants collectively.
Law. the period of life to the age of majority, 21 years at common law but now usually 18; minority; nonage.

RELATED CONTENT

Hey! OK! Understanding Language With Desktop AISentient. We define this word as “having the power of perception by the senses; conscious.” Fans of the Terminator movie series will know this word and its implications (Skynet, cough cough). And, we can’t forget the Hal 9000 from 2001: A Space Odyssey. Which desktop AI system is better at understanding language? But, in this article, we’re focusing on the sentient Google Home and Assistant and how …
READ MORE
Which Words Did English Take From Other Languages?English—is one of the most incredible, flavorfully-complex melting pots of linguistic ingredients from other countries. These linguistic ingredients are called loanwords that have been borrowed and incorporated into English. The loanwords are oftentimes so common now, the foreign flavor has been completely lost.
READ MORE

RELATED WORDS

inception, nonage, outset, minority, start, immaturity, beginning, childhood, incunabulum, pupilage

Nearby words

  1. infallible,
  2. infamize,
  3. infamous,
  4. infamously,
  5. infamy,
  6. infant,
  7. infant apnea,
  8. infant mortality rate,
  9. infant prodigy,
  10. infant school

Origin of infancy

From the Latin word infantia, dating back to 1485–95. See infant, -cy
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for infancy

British Dictionary definitions for infancy

infancy

/ (ˈɪnfənsɪ) /

noun plural -cies

the state or period of being an infant; childhood
an early stage of growth or development
infants collectively
the period of life prior to attaining legal majority (reached at 21 under common law, at 18 by statute); minority nonage
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for infancy

infancy

n.

late 14c., from Anglo-French enfaunce and directly from Latin infantia "early childhood," literally "inability to speak," from infantem (see infant).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Medicine definitions for infancy

infancy

[ ĭn′fən-sē ]

n.

The earliest period of childhood, especially before the ability to walk has been acquired.
The state of being an infant.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.