First Known Use: 1652
Dictionary
puerile
adjective pu·er·ile \ˈpyu̇(-ə)r-əl, -ˌī(-ə)l\
: silly or childish especially in a way that shows a lack of seriousness or good judgment
Full Definition of PUERILE
1
: juvenile
2
— pu·er·ile·ly \-ə(l)-lē, -ˌī(-ə)l-lē\ adverb
— pu·er·il·i·ty \ˌpyu̇(-ə)r-ˈi-lə-tē\ noun
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Origin of PUERILE
French or Latin; French puéril, from Latin puerilis, from puer boy, child; akin to Sanskrit putra son, child and perhaps to Greek pais boy, child — more at few
Related to PUERILE
Medical Dictionary
puerile
adjective pu·er·ile \ˈpyu̇(-ə)r-əl, -ˌīl\
Medical Definition of PUERILE
1
: marked by or suggesting childishness and immaturity
2
: being respiration that is like that of a child in being louder than normal <puerile breathing>
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