infancy: babyhood; the period of development between birth and the beginning of early childhood between the ages of two and three years.

Dictionary of Sexology Project: Main Index

In"fan*cy (?), n. [L. infantia: cf. F. enfance. See Infant.]

1.

The state or period of being an infant; the first part of life; early childhood.

The babe yet lies in smiling infancy. Milton.

Their love in early infancy began. Dryden.

2.

The first age of anything; the beginning or early period of existence; as, the infancy of an art.

The infancy and the grandeur of Rome. Arbuthnot.

3. Law

The state or condition of one under age, or under the age of twenty-one years; nonage; minority.

 

© Webster 1913.