Nonage: meaning, definitions and examples

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nonage

 

[ ˈnɒn-eɪdʒ ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

legal status

Nonage refers to the period during which a person is not yet an adult, typically before reaching the age of majority. This term is often used in legal contexts to describe individuals who are not legally able to enter into contracts or make binding decisions on their own. In many jurisdictions, nonage corresponds to being under the age of 18, though this can vary. During nonage, minors are subject to various restrictions and protections under the law, as they are considered to lack the full capacity to make decisions regarding their welfare and interests.

Synonyms

immaturity, minor status, minority

Examples of usage

  • Children remain in a state of nonage until they turn eighteen.
  • Legal contracts signed during nonage can often be voided.
  • Guardianship laws are designed to protect individuals in nonage.

Translations

Translations of the word "nonage" in other languages:

🇵🇹 menoridade

🇮🇳 अल्पकालिकता

🇩🇪 Minderjährigkeit

🇮🇩 masa remaja

🇺🇦 недосягнення повноліття

🇵🇱 młodość

🇯🇵 未成年

🇫🇷 minorité

🇪🇸 menor

🇹🇷 reşit olmama

🇰🇷 미성년

🇸🇦 القصور

🇨🇿 nezletilost

🇸🇰 neplnoletosť

🇨🇳 未成年人

🇸🇮 mladoletnost

🇮🇸 ólögráða

🇰🇿 кәмелетке толмаушылық

🇬🇪 მოზარდობა

🇦🇿 yetkinlik yaşına çatmamaq

🇲🇽 menor

Etymology

The word 'nonage' originates from Old French 'non-age,' which combines 'non' (not) and 'age,' the latter deriving from Latin 'aetas' meaning age or period of life. The term appeared in English during the late Middle Ages and has been used in legal parlance to describe the period of a person's minority, emphasizing their lack of legal capacity. Historically, this concept has been crucial in discussions regarding the rights and legal responsibilities of individuals, particularly as societies have evolved in their understanding of childhood and adulthood. The definition of nonage and the age at which an individual transitions to adulthood has varied across cultures and epochs, reflecting changing social norms.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,383, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.