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 begin puberty around ages 10â11 and end puberty around 15â17; boys begin around ages 11â12 and end around 16â17. The major landmark of puberty for females is menarche, the onset of menstruation, which occurs on average between ages 12â13; for males, it is the first ejaculation, which occurs on average at age 13.