preadolescence

preadolescence definition - medical

pre·ad·o·les·cence (prēˌăd-l-ĕsˈəns)

noun
The period of childhood just preceding the onset of puberty, often designated as between the ages of 10 and 12 in girls and 11 and 13 in boys.

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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