Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Infant?

\In"fant\, n. [L. infans; pref. in- not + fari to speak: cf. F. enfant, whence OE. enfaunt. See {Fame}, and cf. {Infante}, {Infanta}.] 1. A child in the first period of life, beginning at his birth; a young babe; sometimes, a child several years of age. And tender cries of infants pierce the ear. --C. Pitt. 2. (Law) A person who is not of full age, or who has not attained the age of legal capacity; a person under the age of twenty-one years; a minor. Note: An infant under seven years of age is not penally responsible; between seven and fourteen years of age, he may be convicted of a malicious offense if malice be proved. He becomes of age on the day preceding his twenty-first birthday, previous to which time an infant has no capacity to contract. 3. Same as {Infante}. [Obs.] --Spenser.
\In"fant\, a. 1. Of or pertaining to infancy, or the first period of life; tender; not mature; as, infant strength. 2. Intended for young children; as, an infant school.
\In"fant\, v. t. [Cf. F. enfanter.] To bear or bring forth, as a child; hence, to produce, in general. [Obs.] This worthy motto, ``No bishop, no king,'' is . . . infanted out of the same fears. --Milton.