infantilism
[ in-fuhn-tl-iz-uhm, -tahy-liz-, in-fan-tl-iz-uhm ]
/ ˈɪn fən tlˌɪz əm, -taɪˌlɪz-, ɪnˈfæn tlˌɪz əm /
Save This Word!
noun
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.
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!
Were you ready for a quiz on this topic? Well, here it is! See how well you can differentiate between the uses of "was" vs. "were" in this quiz.
Question 1 of 7
“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.
Meet Grammar Coach
Improve Your Writing
Words nearby infantilism
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for infantilism
British Dictionary definitions for infantilism
infantilism
/ (ɪnˈfæntɪˌlɪzəm) /
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
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
Medical definitions for infantilism
infantilism
[ ĭn′fən-tl-ĭz′əm, ĭn-făn′tl- ]
n.
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.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.