Childproofing

Part of speech: verb, noun

Definitions

1. Making a home, product, or space safe so that young children cannot easily harm themselves or access hazards
2. Modifying an environment or item to prevent small children from reaching dangers such as medicines, sharp objects, or electrical outlets
3. Taking measures that guard against accidents to infants and toddlers by securing hazards out of their reach

Etymology: "Childproofing" is the present participle and gerund of "childproof", which is built from "child" and "proof" with the suffix "-proof" attached. The base "child" is an Old English word, while "proof" comes to English from Old French "preuve" and ultimately from Latin "probare", "to test" or "to prove". The suffix "-proof" is a productive English element meaning "resistant to" or "protected against", as in "waterproof" or "bulletproof", and it is used to form new words on demand. Here the sense is literal: something childproof is made so that children cannot damage it, open it, or come to harm through it. The verb form "childproofing" therefore names the act of making a home, container, or product resistant to the curiosity and dexterity of young children.

Synonyms: baby-proofing