INFANTILISM

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does infantilism mean? 

• INFANTILISM (noun)
  The noun INFANTILISM has 2 senses:

1. an abnormal condition in which an older child or adult retains infantile characteristics

2. infantile behavior in mature persons

  Familiarity information: INFANTILISM used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• INFANTILISM (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

An abnormal condition in which an older child or adult retains infantile characteristics

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Hypernyms ("infantilism" is a kind of...):

abnormalcy; abnormality (an abnormal physical condition resulting from defective genes or developmental deficiencies)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "infantilism"):

ateleiosis; ateliosis (a form of infantilism characterized by physical underdevelopment but normal intelligence)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Infantile behavior in mature persons

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("infantilism" is a kind of...):

misbehavior; misbehaviour; misdeed (improper or wicked or immoral behavior)