In"fant (?), 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.

And tender cries of infants pierce the ear. C. Pitt.

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.

⇒ 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.

3.

Same as Infante.

[Obs.]

Spenser.

 

© Webster 1913.


In"fant (?), a.

1.

Of or pertaining to infancy, or the first period of life; tender; not mature; as, infant strength.

2.

Intended for young children; as, an infant school.

 

© Webster 1913.


In"fant, v. t. [Cf. F. enfanter.]

To bear or bring forth, as a child; hence, to produce, in general.

[Obs.]

This worthy motto, "No bishop, no king," is . . . infanted out of the same fears. Milton.

 

© Webster 1913.

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