infancy Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the early stage of growth or development
    early childhood; babyhood.
  2. noun the earliest state of immaturity
    babyhood.

WordNet

In"fan*cy noun
Etymology
L. infantia: cf. F. enfance. See Infant.
Definitions
  1. The state or period of being an infant; the first part of life; early childhood.
    The babe yet lies in smiling infancy. Milton.
    Their love in early infancy began. Dryden.
  2. The first age of anything; the beginning or early period of existence; as, the infancy of an art.
    The infancy and the grandeur of Rome. Arbuthnot.
  3. (Law) The state or condition of one under age, or under the age of twenty-one years; nonage; minority.

Webster 1913