Childproofed

Part of speech: verb, adjective

Definitions

1. Made safe so that young children cannot easily reach, open, or hurt themselves with something in a home or environment
2. Adapted or secured so that small children are kept away from dangers such as medicines, sockets, or sharp objects
3. Equipped with safety features that prevent curious young children from getting into or injuring themselves on a space or item

Etymology: "Childproofed" is the past form of "childproof," a verb built by adding the suffix "-proof" to "child." The suffix comes from "proof" in its older sense of something that resists or keeps out a thing, as in "waterproof" or "bulletproof," so a childproofed cabinet is one that resists being opened by a child. The pattern is simple. "-proof" has long been attached to nouns to mean "impervious to" or "protected against" whatever the first part names, and "child" simply slots into that frame. The result is a compound that reads straight off its parts, with no hidden history or change in meaning along the way.

Synonyms: child-resistant, secured, safeguarded

Antonyms: unsafe