ladlike

From lad +‎ -like.^[1]

ladlike (comparative more ladlike, superlative most ladlike)

1. Resembling or characteristic of a lad.

   Synonym: laddish

   • 1838, James Gillman, “Coleridge’s First Entry at Jesus’ College.—[…]”, in The Life of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, London: William Pickering, →OCLC, pages 49–50:

     I remember a fellow-collegiate recalling to his memory, an exploit of which he was the planner, and a late Lord Chancellor the executor. It was this:—a train of gunpowder was to be laid on two of the neatly shaven lawns of St. John’s and Trinity Colleges, in such a manner, that, when set on fire, the singed grass would exhibit the ominous words, Liberty and Equality, which, with able ladlike dexterity, was duly performed.

   • 1994, Linda Lael Miller, chapter 5, in For All Eternity, New York, N.Y.: Berkley Books, →ISBN, page 78:

     He was one of the elders, a member of the ancient Brotherhood, and yet he looked no more than seventeen years old, with his slender, ladlike figure and youthful features.

   • 2017, Dean Worton, “Kissing the Frog: Chris Stobart”, in Luke Beardon, Dean Worton, editors, Love, Partnership, or Singleton on the Autism Spectrum (Insider Intelligence), London; Philadelphia, Pa.: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, →ISBN, Introduction, page 263:

     AS females might be more able to mask the fact that they are different as they can get away with being quiet with predominant neurotypical (PNT) female friends more than an AS male can with PNT male friends who might tease someone who is not ladlike, doesn’t like sports, doesn’t drink, swear, goof around (not knowing Chris, I’m speaking generally).