baby

verb

No English definition recorded for this entry.

L330841 on Wikidata ↗

noun

very young offspring of a human

L3351 on Wikidata ↗

Wiktionary

Pronunciation: /ˈbeɪ̯.bi/

adj

Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *bʰā- Proto-Germanic *bō-redup. Proto-Germanic *babô Proto-West Germanic *babō Old English *baba Middle English babe Proto-Indo-European *-kos Proto-Germanic *-gaz Proto-West Germanic *-g Old English -iġ Middle English -y Middle English baby English baby From Middle English baby, babie (“baby”), a diminutive form of babe (“babe, baby”), equivalent to babe + -y/-ie (“endearing and diminutive suffix”). Perhaps ultimately imitative of baby talk (compare babble).

Picked when small and immature (as in baby corn, baby potatoes).
Newest (overall, or in some group or state); most inexperienced.
“Mrs. Paull held out her hand to the babyest of the quartette, as they tiptoed up to the bed. “Lift her up, please, Marie!” she said, motioning to the place enclosed by her arm. When the rosy cheek touched hers upon the pillow, she asked ...”
“That evening, we grouped about the fire in the parlor, a wide circle that left room for the babyest of the party to disport themselves upon the rug, in the glow of the grate piled with cannel coal.”
Like or pertaining to a baby, in size or youth; small, young.
“Spider. Here let us begin at the beginning, at the babyest of books for Edith's nursery.”
“She let it drop out of her sleeve, and it was two Chings — the dearest, littlest, babyest, tiny Chings — little balls of fur! And she ran away, and daddy's father picked them up, and put them in his pockets, and brought them home, […]”

name

Etymology: Two main origins: * Borrowed from Malayalam ബേബി (bēbi), a surname typically found in Kerala. * Borrowed from French Baby.

A surname.

noun

A very young human, particularly from birth to a couple of years old or until walking is fully mastered.
“The baby new to earth and sky, ⁠What time his tender palm is prest ⁠Against the circle of the breast, Has never thought that ‘this is I:’ […]”
“In that film, I often hid my head in my hands, unable to watch scenes about dead babies and diving into gruesome lavatories.”
A very young human, particularly from birth to a couple of years old or until walking is fully mastered.
“When is your baby due?”
“Her baby had always been active, even before he was born, when he would kick her bladder.”
Any very young animal, especially a vertebrate; many species have specific names for their babies, such as kittens for the babies of cats, puppies for the babies of dogs, and chicks for the babies of birds. See :Category:Baby animals for more.
A person who is immature, infantile, or feeble.
“Stand up for yourself – don't be such a baby!”
A person who is new to or inexperienced in something.
“I only qualified as an architect this summer, so I'm still a baby.”
The lastborn of a family; the youngest sibling, irrespective of age.
“Adam is the baby of the family.”
“"You are very dull this morning, Sheriff," said the youngest daughter of the house, who, being the baby and pretty, had grown pettishly privileged in speech.”
A person's romantic partner; a term of endearment used to refer to or address e.g. one's girlfriend, boyfriend, or spouse.
“Too busy thinking about my baby, and I ain't got time for nothing else.”
“Baby, don't cry.”
A form of address to a person considered to be attractive.
“Hey baby, what are you doing later?”
A thing that is comparatively small of its kind.
“There will be only seven episodes in the final season. Previous seasons had as many as ten, nine, and eight episodes total. So this one is definitely the baby. After the season premiere, episodes will drop weekly-ish on Thursdays.”
A concept or creation endeared by its creator.
“This test program I've designed is my new baby.”
A pet project or responsibility.
“You need to talk to John about that – it's his baby.”
“Sovnarkom was Lenin's baby, it was where he focused all his energies […].”
An affectionate term for anything.
“See my new car here? I can't wait to take this baby for a drive.”
A small image of an infant; a doll.
One who is new to an identity or community.
“baby queer; baby trans”
“These more general spells and rituals can also be helpful for baby witches, who might want more time to practice before they hop into highly-specific spells.”

verb

To coddle; to pamper somebody like an infant.
“[…] though he tried to be gruff and mature, he yielded to her and was glad to be babied.”
“Then the man effected measles and stayed off the job for six weeks, babying himself at home, though he lived just round the corner from my half-built house.”
To tend (something) with care; to be overly attentive to (something), fuss over.
“In the past 27 years, "Mr. Mac," as he is known to his 46,000 teammates, has built and babied his McDonnell Co. from nothing into a $1 billion-a-year corporation.”
“1912, Linda Craig, interviewed by Theresa Forte, "Tree and Twig farm — a treasure chest of heirloom tomatoes," Welland Tribune, 25 May, 2012, https://web.archive.org/web/20171205052150/http://www.wellandtribune.ca/2012/05/23/tree-and-twig-farm--a-treasure-chest-of-heirloom-tomatoes I have grown them for years and although some years are better than others, I have always had loads of tomatoes by not babying them, going easy on the water, and fertilizing with compost in the planting hole.”