infantilism
[in-fuh n-tl-iz-uh m, -tahy-liz-, in-fan-tl-iz-uh m]
- 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.
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Origin of infantilism
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for infantilism
Historical Examples
It is quite unnecessary to construct such dreams as a return to infantilism, as a regression, as the Freudians generally do.
PsychoanalysisAndr Tridon
The significance of "infantile sexual lesions" has also tended to give place to that of "infantilism of sexuality."
Studies in the Psychology of Sex, Volume 1 (of 6)Havelock Ellis
One of these suffered from infantilism, one turned out to be a drunkard, and the third became a social degenerate and drunkard.
Being Well-BornMichael F. Guyer
infantilism
- 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
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for infantilism
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
infantilism
(ĭn′fən-tl-ĭz′əm, ĭn-făn′tl-)- A state of arrested development in an adult, characterized by retention of infantile mentality, accompanied by stunted growth and sexual immaturity, and often by dwarfism.
- Extreme immaturity, as in behavior or character.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.