Definition of infant

< infancy

infanta >

in·fant    (nfnt) KEY 

NOUN:

1. A child in the earliest period of life, especially before he or she can walk.
2. Law A person under the legal age of majority; a minor.

ADJECTIVE:

1. Of or being in infancy.
2. Intended for infants or young children.
3. Newly begun or formed: an infant enterprise.

---

ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Old French enfant, from Latin nfns, nfant-, from nfns, not able to speak, young : in-, not ; see in-¹ + fns, present participle of fr, to speak; see bh-² in Indo-European roots