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Infant Definition, Examples, and Usage Guide (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：very young baby (infant)
infant
/ˈɪnfənt/
n.
A very young baby or child, usually from birth to about one year old.
very young baby
➕
/ˈvɛri jʌŋ ˈbeɪbi/
n.
A human baby from birth to approximately one year old, characterized by helplessness and rapid development.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'infāns' (unable to speak), from 'in-' (not) + 'fāns' (speaking).
💡 Mnemonic
An infant is in-fant, like a tiny human who can't yet speak fancy words.
📖 Example
The new parents spent hours watching their peaceful sleeping infant.
The new parents spent hours watching their peaceful sleeping infant.
🔗 Collocations
newborn infant – A baby just after birth
infant mortality – Death of infants under one year old
infant care – Caring for a very young child
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
infancy (n.) – The state or period of being an infant.
infantile (adj.) – Of or relating to infants; childish.
infantilize (v.) – To treat as if still a child.
📖 Cultural Story
Borrowed from Latin 'infantem' (nominative 'infans'), meaning 'young child' literally 'one who cannot speak'. The word has been used in English since the 14th century.
Meaning 2：in early stage (infant)
infant
/ˈɪnfənt/
n.
Describing something (like an idea, industry, or country) that is in its very early stages of development, not yet fully formed.
in early stage
➕
/ɪn ˈɜːrli steɪdʒ/
n.
Referring to something that is in its very beginning or formative phase, not yet fully developed or established.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
Artificial intelligence was once an infant technology, but it has grown rapidly in recent years.
Artificial intelligence was once an infant technology, but it has grown rapidly in recent years.
🔗 Collocations
infant industry – A newly established industry that needs protection to grow
infant company – A business that has just been founded
infant stage – The earliest phase of development
🔄 Synonyms
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