Infant

Infant

An infant (from the Latin word infans, meaning "unable to speak" or "speechless") is the very young offspring of a human or other mammal. When applied to humans, the term is usually considered synonymous with baby, but the latter is commonly applied to the young of any animal. When a human child learns to walk, the term toddler may be used instead.

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Famous quotes containing the word infant:

    The colicky baby who becomes calm, the quiet infant who throws temper tantrums at two, the wild child at four who becomes serious and studious at six all seem to surprise their parents. It is difficult to let go of one’s image of a child, say goodbye to the child a parent knows, and get accustomed to this slightly new child inhabiting the known child’s body.
    Ellen Galinsky (20th century)

    The infant runs toward it with its eyes closed, the adult is stationary, the old man approaches it with his back turned.
    Denis Diderot (1713–1784)

    —the dark ajar, the rocks breaking with light,
    and undisturbed, unbreathing flame,
    colorless, sparkless, freely fed on straw,
    and, lulled within, a family with pets,
    —and looked and looked our infant sight away.
    Elizabeth Bishop (1911–1979)