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.
A: On average, girls reach their final adult height and stop growing by age 14 or 15, though this figure skews either younger or older depending on when puberty begins. Most girls experience a growth spurt between ages 10 to14, and a female's rate of growth peaks around two years after puberty begins, which is usually around age 12. Continue Reading