Etymology Map
Back to all words

Infant

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a very young child

Where does the word "infant" come from? It comes from Latin infans, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
infans
Latin · ancient
"unable to speak"
'in-', not, plus 'fans', speaking
2
Stage 2 of 3
enfant
Old French · medieval
"child"
the root of 'infantry', young foot soldiers
3
Stage 3 of 3
infant
English · 1300s
"child"
legally a minor until adulthood
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Infant’s story begins in Latin: infans meant “unable to speak.” 'in-', not, plus 'fans', speaking. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as enfant. The root of 'infantry', young foot soldiers. It reached English by 1300s as infant. Legally a minor until adulthood. Today, infant means a very young child.