I. ˈbā-bē noun
( plural babies )
Etymology: Middle English, from babe
Date: 14th century
1.
a.
(1) : an extremely young child ; especially : infant
(2) : an extremely young animal
b. : the youngest of a group
2.
a. : one that is like a baby (as in behavior)
b. : something that is one's special responsibility, achievement, or interest
3. slang
a. : girl , woman — often used in address
b. : boy , man — often used in address
4. : person , thing
is one tough baby
• ba·by·hood -bē-ˌhu̇d noun
• ba·by·ish -ish adjective
II. adjective
Date: 1591
1. : of, relating to, or being a baby
2. : much smaller than the usual
baby carrots
a baby flattop
take two baby steps
III. transitive verb
( ba·bied ; ba·by·ing )
Date: 1742
1. : to tend to indulge with often excessive or inappropriate care and solicitude
baby ing their only child
2. : to use or treat with care
baby ing a sore knee
Synonyms: see indulge