WorldSeptember 3, 2026

juvenility

joo-vuh-NIL-i-tee

Definition

The state or condition of being a juvenile, specifically in a legal context where an individual is recognized as a minor protected by special statutes.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'juvenilis', meaning 'youthful', which itself comes from the root 'juvenis'. It entered English in the 17th century to describe the quality or state of being young.

In the news

The article uses this term to explain that an individual may assert their status as a minor at any stage of a legal proceeding, including after a conviction, to ensure they receive age-appropriate protections.

Supreme Court Overturns Two-Decade-Old Conviction of Minor, Citing Primacy of Juvenile Protections

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