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Infantilism vs Childlike - What's the difference?

infantilism | childlike |

As a noun infantilism

is an emotional dependency on being treated as an infant.

As an adjective childlike is

innocent and trustful; credulous; artless.

infantilism

English

Noun

(-)
  • An emotional dependency on being treated as an infant.
  • A sexual dependency on the sight or feeling of diapers, or being diapered.

    • Related terms

    * infantilist English words suffixed with -ism

    childlike

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • innocent and trustful; credulous; artless
  • of, like, or suitable for a child

    • Quotations

    * 1859 : , Pestalozzi and Pestalozzianism *: And on the other hand, fatherly and childlike feelings in the national spirit, are the sources of all pure national blessings. * 1894 : , Lessings Nathan Der Weise *: He certainly has childlike simplicity, and all the qualities which go to make up a true Christian character.

    Synonyms

    * childish * childly * See also

    Derived terms

    * childlikeness

    Related terms

    * child * childishly * childishness

    References

    * *