1.
[syn: dotage, second childhood, senility]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Childhood \Child"hood\ (ch[imac]ld"h[oo^]d), n. [AS. cildh[=a]d;
cild child + -h[=a]d. See Child, and -hood.]
1. The state of being a child; the time in which persons are
children; the condition or time from infancy to puberty.
[1913 Webster]
I have walked before you from my childhood. --1.
Sam. xii. 2.
[1913 Webster]
2. Children, taken collectively. [R.]
[1913 Webster]
The well-governed childhood of this realm. --Sir. W.
Scott.
[1913 Webster]
3. The commencement; the first period.
[1913 Webster]
The childhood of our joy. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
Second childhood, the state of being feeble and incapable
from old age.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
second childhood
n 1: mental infirmity as a consequence of old age; sometimes
shown by foolish infatuations [syn: dotage, second
childhood, senility]