n. 1 a a child during the earliest period of its life. b Brit. a schoolchild below the age of seven years. 2 (esp. attrib.) a thing in an early stage of its development. 3 Law a minor; a person under 18. infant mortality death before the age of one.
[ ME f. OF enfant f. L infans unable to speak (as IN-(1), fans fantis pres. part. of fari speak) ]