infant

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

And tender cries of infants pierce the ear. C. Pitt. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Same as Infante. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ Cf. F. enfanter. ] To bear or bring forth, as a child; hence, to produce, in general. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

This worthy motto, “No bishop, no king, ” is . . . infanted out of the same fears. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Of or pertaining to infancy, or the first period of life; tender; not mature; as, infant strength. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Intended for young children; as, an infant school. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ Sp. & Pg., fem. of infante. See Infante. ] A title borne by every one of the daughters of the kings of Spain and Portugal, except the eldest. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ Sp. & Pg. See Infant. ] A title given to every one of sons of the kings of Spain and Portugal, except the eldest or heir apparent. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Infancy. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of or pertaining to infanticide; engaged in, or guilty of, child murder. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. infanticidium child murder; infans, -antis, child + caedere to kill: cf. F. infanticide. See Infant, and Homicide. ] The murder of an infant born alive; the murder or killing of a newly born or young child; child murder. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. infanticida: cf. F. infanticide. ] One who commits the crime of infanticide; one who kills an infant. [ 1913 Webster ]