— childishly , adv. — childishness , n.
/chuyl"dish/ , adj.
1. of, like, or befitting a child: childish games.
2. puerile; weak; silly: childish fears.
[ bef. 1000; ME childisch, OE cildisc. See CHILD, -ISH 1 ]
Syn . CHILDISH, INFANTILE, CHILDLIKE refer to characteristics or qualities of childhood. The ending -ish often has unfavorable connotations; CHILDISH therefore refers to characteristics that are undesirable and unpleasant: childish selfishness, outbursts of temper. INFANTILE, originally a general word, now often carries an even stronger idea of disapproval or scorn than does CHILDISH: infantile reasoning, behavior. The ending -like has pleasing or neutral connotations; CHILDLIKE therefore refers to the characteristics that are desirable and admirable: childlike innocence, trust.
Ant . mature, adult.