infantilism

noun

the persistence in an adult of markedly childish anatomical, physiological, or psychological characteristics.

an infantile act, trait, etc., especially in an adult.

a speech disorder characterized by speech and voice patterns that are typical of very young children.

Origin:
1890–95; infantile + -ism

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World English Dictionary

infantilism (ɪnˈfæntɪˌlɪzəm)

—n
1.	psychol
	a. a condition in which an older child or adult is mentally or physically undeveloped
	b. isolated instances of infantile behaviour in mature persons
2.	childish speech; baby talk

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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00:10

Infantilism is always a great word to know.

So is callithumpian. Does it mean:

a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.

an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.

LEARN MORE UNUSUAL WORDS WITH WORD DYNAMO...

American Heritage

Medical Dictionary

infantilism in·fan·til·ism (ĭn'fən-tl-ĭz'əm, ĭn-fān'tl-)
n.

A state of arrested development in an adult, characterized by retention of infantile mentality, accompanied by stunted growth and sexual immaturity, and often by dwarfism.
Extreme immaturity, as in behavior or character.

Matching Quote

"We spoke of ourselves as "emancipated" when we got the vote. Yet we are still slaves to the superficial and the superfluous. We are concerned with the length of our skirts, with the latest lipstick, with the newest thrill in hats. We are impressed by advertisements that insist we must be alluring; we must adopt a time-consuming coiffure, we must spend hours with the "beautician," we must attend fashion shows. As long as women are preoccupied with nonessentials we shall be afflicted with infantilism, passivity, and the eventual disillusionment that results from trivial, unproductive lives."

-Mary Barnett Gilson

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infantilism

in·fan·ti·lism