nonage
Before coming of-age
Nonage is the state of being under legal age—a minor.
By extension, it means any period of immaturity or early development: The republic was still in its nonage.
The word is formal and somewhat old-fashioned, appearing mainly in legal or literary contexts.
Life's earliest phase
- infancyEarliest period of life
- adolescenceTeenage developmental stage
- pubertySexual development stage
- preadolescenceStage before teenage years
toddlerhood · juvenility · immaturity · youth · boyhood · girlhood · formative · prepubescent
Innocent lack of experience
- callownessInexperience from youth
- rawnessUnrefined or exposed state
- greennessState of being verdant
- noviceInexperienced newcomer to field
beginner · fledgling · neophyte · tenderfoot · apprentice · tyro · unschooled · untrained
Smaller part of whole
- underageBelow legal minimum years
- wardProtected person; division
- guardianshipLegal care of another
- custodyProtective care or control
trustee · emancipation · conservatorship · incompetence · disability · protection · tutelage · wardship
One who maintains property
- guardianProtective caretaker of another
- custodianGuardian of a place
- fosterageRearing another's child
- nurtureSupport growth and development
support · reliance · provision · maintenance · upkeep · sustenance · patronage · benefactor
childhood
Life's earliest phase
- infancyEarliest period of life
- adolescenceTeenage developmental stage
- pubertySexual development stage
preadolescence · toddlerhood · juvenility · immaturity · youth · boyhood · girlhood · formative · prepubescent · greenness
naivety
Innocent lack of experience
- callownessInexperience from youth
- rawnessUnrefined or exposed state
- greennessState of being verdant
novice · beginner · fledgling · neophyte · tenderfoot · apprentice · tyro · unschooled · untrained · unskilled
minority
Smaller part of whole
- underageBelow legal minimum years
- wardProtected person; division
- guardianshipLegal care of another
custody · trustee · emancipation · conservatorship · incompetence · disability · protection · tutelage · wardship · infancy
caretaker
One who maintains property
nurture · support · reliance · provision · maintenance · upkeep · sustenance · patronage · benefactor · protection