infancy
gb/ˈɪnfənsi/ us/ˈɪnfənsi/
B2
Inglês
~ 6800
Aceções
0 aceções
Nome
B2
state
1
very early childhood (0–2 years)
The first part of a person’s life, when they are a very young baby.
Padrão de uso:
[someone] in infancy / from infancy
Erro comum:
Learners sometimes confuse “infancy” with “pregnancy” or “birth.” “Infancy” refers to the baby’s early life after birth, not the time before birth. They also sometimes use it like an adjective (*an infancy child*), but the correct form is *an infant child* or simply *an infant*.
Sinónimos
early childhood (More general and covers a slightly longer period than strict infancy.)
|
babyhood (Informal, emphasizes the time when the child is still a baby.)
Antónimos
adulthood (Refers to the fully grown stage of life, opposite end of the life course from infancy.)
|
maturity (Focuses on being fully developed physically or mentally, unlike the helpless state of infancy.)
Colocações
from infancy
|since infancy
|during infancy
|early infancy
|survive infancy
|in infancy
Temas
family
|childhood
|development
|health
|body
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- He spent much of his infancy in and out of hospital.
- Good nutrition in infancy is critical for healthy brain development.
- The disease was often fatal in infancy before modern vaccines were introduced.
- She moved to Canada in infancy and has no memories of her birth country.
- Many habits formed in infancy can influence health in later life.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- She lost her parents in infancy.
- The baby smiled a lot during infancy.
- They moved to this city in his infancy.
- Doctors watched the twins closely through infancy.
- Good care in infancy helps the child grow well.
Nome
C1
state
2
very early stage of development
The first, very early stage in the growth of a thing like a company, idea, or technology.
Padrão de uso:
[something] is in its infancy
Erro comum:
Learners may try to say *“on its infancy”* instead of the fixed phrase *“in its infancy.”* Another mistake is using *infancies* for different projects; usually we talk about *the infancy of* something or say it is *in its infancy* rather than using a plural form.
Sinónimos
early stage (Very close in meaning, but more general and less metaphorical than “infancy.”)
|
birth (Often used metaphorically for the start of something, but focuses on the moment of beginning rather than the whole early period.)
|
nascent stage (More formal and technical; emphasizes something just coming into existence.)
Antónimos
maturity (Describes a state of full development, the opposite of an early, experimental stage.)
|
peak (Refers to the highest or most advanced point, in contrast to the beginning phase.)
Colocações
in its infancy
|the infancy of [something]
|during its infancy
|still in infancy
|in the infancy of development
Temas
business
|technology
|history
|development
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- Electric cars are still in their infancy compared to gasoline vehicles.
- The internet was in its infancy when those laws were written.
- During the infancy of the company, everyone had to do several different jobs.
- Medical use of artificial intelligence remains in its infancy.
- The project is still in its infancy, so we expect many changes.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- Online shopping was in its infancy at that time.
- This new sport is still in its infancy.
- The program is in its infancy and may grow quickly.
- Space travel was in its infancy in the 1960s.
- The use of robots in homes is in its infancy.
Nome
technical
C2
state
3
legal status of being a minor
In legal language, the state of being too young to be a legal adult.
Padrão de uso:
infancy under [a law] / during infancy
Erro comum:
Learners sometimes assume the legal term “infancy” always refers only to babies. In legal contexts, it often covers the entire period before legal adulthood, not just the first two years of life.
Sinónimos
minority (Standard legal term for being under the legal age of adulthood; more common in modern legal writing than “infancy.”)
Antónimos
majority (Legal term for reaching the age at which a person is considered an adult, opposite of legal infancy.)
Colocações
during infancy
|in infancy under the law
|the age of infancy
|contracts made in infancy
Temas
law
|society
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- Under the old statute, contracts made in infancy could be voided upon reaching adulthood.
- The court considered whether the defendant’s infancy at the time of the offense reduced his responsibility.
- Certain rights cannot be waived during infancy without a guardian’s approval.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- In some laws, infancy means a person is not yet an adult.
- The judge looked at his infancy when making the decision.
- Contracts made in infancy may not be valid in court.
Gramática
Forma de dicionário
infancy
IPA
GB/ˈɪnfənsi/
US/ˈɪnfənsi/
Sílabas e acento
in - fancy (2 sílabas)
Stress on 1st syllable (in)
Formas da palavra
Noun
- Base: infancy
- Plural: infancies, infancy
Família de palavras
Forms
infancies
noun
Core family
infant
noun A2
Related words
infantile
adjective
Advanced or less common
infantilize
verb
infantilization
noun
Expressões
from infancy
1/fɹˈʌm ˈɪnfənsi/
fixed phrase
starting in earliest childhood
used to say that something has been true or has happened since a person was a very young baby
Exemplos
- He has been raised bilingual from infancy.
- The two girls have known each other from infancy.
in infancy
1/ˈɪn ˈɪnfənsi/
fixed phrase
during the earliest stage
used to describe what happens while someone is a very young baby, or while something is still very new and just starting
Exemplos
- Several health problems were detected in infancy.
- The program is still in infancy and will change over time.
in its infancy
1/ˈɪn ˈɪts ˈɪnfənsi/
fixed phrase
at a very early stage
used to say that something, like a project, idea, or technology, has just started and is still very new and not fully developed
Exemplos
- Smartphone technology was still in its infancy at the time.
- The research into this disease is in its infancy, so there are many unanswered questions.
since infancy
1/sˈɪns ˈɪnfənsi/
fixed phrase
continuing from earliest childhood
used to say that something began when a person was a very young baby and has continued up to now or to a later time
Exemplos
- She has worn glasses since infancy due to a serious eye condition.
- They have lived in this town since infancy.