noun, Psychiatry. 1. an inability to speak, due to a physical defect, conscious refusal, or psychogenic inhibition. Origin of mutism.
1 A new study finds girls are developing breasts earlier than ever before; American boys and girls are entering puberty about five years younger than they did in 1920.
on average girls start puberty between the ages of 9 and 14 but some will start to develop breasts or pubic hair by age 8 and a small number will start to mature before age 7the technical term for this is precocious pubertygirls are five times more likely than boys to develop precocious pubertyn average girls start puberty between the ages of 9 and 14 but some will start to develop breasts or pubic hair by age 8 and a small number will start to mature before age 7