| 释义 |
infantilize, v.
Brit. |ɪnˈfantəlʌɪz|, |ɪnˈfantlˌʌɪz|, U.S. |ɪnˈfæn(t)lˌaɪz|
Forms: 19– infantilise, 19– infantilize
[‹ infantile adj. + -ize suffix. Compare slightly later infantilization n.]
trans. To treat (a person) inappropriately or condescendingly like an infant or young child; spec. to encourage infantile behaviour in (a person) by doing this. Also: to cause (something) to lack sophistication or maturity.
1931Jrnl. Criminal Law & Criminol. 22 269/2 Sometimes a mentally retarded child who walks later is treated as a ‘baby’ or infantilized for a longer period. 1960R. N. Rapoport et al. Community as Doctor viii. 261 The therapist saw Don's wife's demandingness as a liability that coincided with the liability of Don's mother's tendency to infantilize him. 1989Newsweek (Nexis) 23 Oct. 74 Kushner..is contemptuous of New Age theology, calling it ‘religion for impatient, narcissistic souls that infantilizes our relationship with God’. 1995Independent 7 Mar. 25/3 Here in the States extended nursing has been used in custody cases as evidence that the mother is unfit. There are psychologists who will say it is harmful because it infantilises the child. 2002U.S. News & World Rep. 22 Apr. 61/1 The point is, I'm able as a patient to be on top of my medical care. I don't feel like I'm being infantilized. |