UNDERAGED Meaning and
Definition
-
Underaged refers to a state or condition of not having reached the legally established age of adulthood or maturity. It describes a person who is younger than the age set by law for various activities, such as drinking alcohol, smoking, driving, voting, or engaging in other legally restricted actions. The term specifically conveys the notion of lacking proper authorization or being ineligible due to being below the legal age limit.
The concept of being underaged is highly context-dependent and can vary across different countries and jurisdictions. In most nations, there are specific age thresholds for different rights and responsibilities. For instance, the legal drinking age is typically higher than the age to drive a car or the voting age. Therefore, being underaged in one aspect (e.g., alcohol consumption) does not necessarily imply being underaged in another (e.g., driving).
Being underaged implies certain restrictions and limitations on an individual's privileges and rights. Minors, as they are commonly referred to, are subject to additional legal protections and considerations, including parental consent requirements, curfews, and restrictions on engaging in certain activities deemed inappropriate or harmful for their age group. These regulations are generally put in place to protect the welfare and well-being of individuals who have not yet reached a stage of physical, mental, or emotional maturity necessary to make informed decisions or handle certain responsibilities.
Etymology of UNDERAGED
The word "underaged" is derived from the combination of two words: "under" and "aged".
The term "under" comes from Old English "under", which means "beneath", "below", or "lower in position". It has persisted in English throughout the centuries with a similar meaning.
The word "aged" comes from the Old French term "age", which means "time of life" or "condition of life". It can be ultimately traced back to the Latin word "aetas", meaning "age" or "period of life".
When these two words are combined, "underaged" is formed, referring to individuals who are below the legally specified age for a particular activity, often used to indicate someone who is below the legal age of adulthood.
Similar spelling words for UNDERAGED
- underbred,
- underclass,
- undermine,
- understate,
- undertaker,
- underhung,
- undervalue,
- underwear,
- underfelt,
- underling,
- understaffed,
- underside,
- unmodernized,
- untier,
- underquote,
- underspend,
- underclothed,
- undercover,
- unmoderated,
- underframe,
- undersized,
- undershrub,
- underact,
- underarm,
- undersell,
- under fire,
- undersealed,
- underworld,
- undraped,
- underpart,
- under way,
- underwater,
- understudy,
- undersea,
- untrammeled,
- undersexed,
- underdone,
- underseller,
- underplay,
- untraveled,
- untraceable,
- undrained,
- underexpose,
- undrawn,
- undertide,
- underbody,
- underwrite,
- underprice,
- understood,
- undermanned,
- underbelly,
- undercoated,
- underivative,
- understand,
- underline,
- underslung,
- underfur,
- undersurface,
- underwing,
- underived,
- undergird,
- undercoat,
- underwood,
- untrained,
- underweight,
- underdrawers,
- underfed,
- undersign,
- unmodernised,
- underachieve,
- unutterable,
- underspent,
- undercharge,
- underbid,
- underdog,
- underdress,
- under wraps,
- unaddressed,
- underneath,
- undersize,
- untravelled,
- underdressed,
- undrape,
- Underdahl,
- underlie,
- underdown,
- underage,
- underseal,
- underhanded,
- unweathered,
- underscore,
- underrate,
- underlying,
- undertone,
- unadorned,
- untracked,
- untraversed,
- understated,
- underbodice,
- under arms,
- undoer,
- undergo,
- underrating,
- undertake,
- underhand,
- underactive,
- undergrad.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
