infantilism

infantilism definition - medical

in·fan·til·ism (ĭnˈfən-tl-ĭzˌəm, ĭn-fănˈtl-)

noun
  1. 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.
  2. Extreme immaturity, as in behavior or character.

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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