callow
UK: ˈkæləʊ | US: ˈkæloʊ
adj. 1. (of a young person) inexperienced or immature.
adj. 2. (of a bird) not yet fully fledged; unfledged.
callow = cal<bald> + low<diminutive suffix>
- cal<bald>: From Old English calu ("bare, bald"), referring to the lack of feathers in young birds or metaphorical "bareness" of experience.
- low<diminutive suffix>: A suffix implying youth or smallness, akin to the German -lein (e.g., Mädchen from Magd).
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Old English calu, meaning "bare," originally describing unfledged birds (lacking feathers). Over time, it metaphorically extended to human inexperience, emphasizing a "bare" or undeveloped state. The suffix -low subtly reinforces the idea of diminution, creating a vivid image of youthful rawness.
The callow intern struggled with basic tasks.
His callow remarks revealed his lack of worldly experience.
The nest held callow chicks, still dependent on their mother.
She dismissed his callow attempts at flattery.
The team’s callow enthusiasm was both endearing and inefficient.