[ad. L. juvenīlitās youth, juvenility, f. juvenīlis JUVENILE: see -ITY. Cf. mod.F. juvénilité (1866 in Littré).]
1. Juvenile condition; youthfulness; youthful manner, quality, character or vigor.
1623. Cockeram, Iuuenilitie, youth.
1629. Prynne, Old Antith., Pref. 8. If it stand with my juvinility and your venerable and hoary gravity.
1651. N. Bacon, Disc. Govt. Eng., II. xxvi. (1739), 118. He was in the nature or condition of a Pro-Rex, during the King’s Juvenility.
1753. Foote, Eng. in Paris, I. (1780), 15. Allowing for the Sallies of Juvenility.
1815. J. Adams, Wks. (1856), X. 141. Declining the engagement on account of the juvenility of our nation, the infancy of our government.
1885. Leeds Mercury, 12 Sept., 6/5. The juvenility of his ideas is made manifest whenever he opens his mouth.
2. concr. Juveniles collectively; ‘youth.’
1823. J. Badcock, Dom. Amusem., p. v. Trifles which were intended to attract juvenility.
1849. J. Hamilton, Mem. Lady Colquhoun, iii. 93. The juvenility of the district all mustered at the same seat of learning.
3. pl. Juvenile characteristics, acts or ideas.
1665. Glanvill, Van. Dogm., Addr. Roy Soc. A iij b (R.). Customary Strains and affected Juvenilities have made it difficult to commend, and speak credibly in Dedications.
1706. Reflex. upon Ridicule, 380. Juvenilities unbecoming the character of old age.
1872. Morley, Voltaire, ii. 65. There was no question of the sentimental juvenilities of children crying for light.
