In"fant (?), n. [L. infans;
pref. in- not + fari to speak: cf. F. enfant,
whence OE. enfaunt. See Fame, and cf. Infante,
Infanta.] 1. A child in the first period
of life, beginning at his birth; a young babe; sometimes, a child
several years of age.
And tender cries of infants pierce the
ear.
C. Pitt.
2. (Law) A person who is not of full
age, or who has not attained the age of legal capacity; a person
under the age of twenty-one years; a minor.
&fist; An infant under seven years of age is not penally
responsible; between seven and fourteen years of age, he may be
convicted of a malicious offense if malice be proved. He becomes of
age on the day preceding his twenty-first birthday, previous to which
time an infant has no capacity to contract.
3. Same as Infante. [Obs.]
Spenser.
In"fant (?), a. 1.
Of or pertaining to infancy, or the first period of life;
tender; not mature; as, infant strength.
2. Intended for young children; as, an
infant school.
In"fant, v. t. [Cf. F.
enfanter.] To bear or bring forth, as a child; hence, to
produce, in general. [Obs.]
This worthy motto, "No bishop, no king," is . . .
infanted out of the same fears.
Milton.
