Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

once an adult, twice a child

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.41 in modern English

Syllables: on-ce an adult, twice a child
IPA

36

Scrabble Score

22

Letters

2

Syllables

12

Unique Chars

Meaning

proverb

One is born as a child, grows to adulthood, and consequently enters old age, when one deteriorates and reverts to a childlike state.

Example Sentences

"Two couples whose combined ages total 300 years were playing cards today and the nerve strain caused by the game was too much for the tired heart and nerves of one and she grew angry and ran home in tears. Once an adult, twice a child."
"It has been said of man, “Once an adult, twice a child.” Young children are by nature dependent, require protection and security. There comes a time when the child struggles to get out from under the parents’ protective covering and exercise self-determination; to progress from dependence to independence. The Senior Citizen, too, often rebels against having his decisions made by others; he struggles against being treated like a child or as a nonentity by his own children and others."
"They’re all wound up with Santy coming this morning. Mattie Dillon got a copy of Dolly Parton’s new CD and Dec Hannigan went into a sulk because he only got one of Charlie Landsborough’s and he can’t stand him. Once an adult, twice a child – nothing surer than that!"

Etymology

Modern gender-neutralized form of once a man, twice a child (attested since the 16th century).

Inflected Forms

once an adult and twice a child (alternative)

Questions

What does once an adult, twice a child mean?: One is born as a child, grows to adulthood, and consequently enters old age, when one deteriorates and reverts to a childlike state.
Where does once an adult, twice a child come from?: Modern gender-neutralized form of once a man, twice a child (attested since the 16th century).

How to pronounce once an adult, twice a child

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