I. ˈbābē, -bi noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English babie — more at babble
1.
a.
(1) : an extremely young child ; especially : one that is still in arms : infant
(2) : the young of an animal
of the nation's 640 full species of breeding birds, 170 raise their babies … along the Mexican border — W.F.Heald
a baby lamb
b. : the youngest member of a group, especially of a family
the baby of the family
the baby member of the Eisenhower subcabinet — Drew Pearson
c. slang : something that is one's personal responsibility, achievement, or interest
though other … detectives have helped out, the case is really the bomb squad's baby — Joseph Carter
2.
a. obsolete : doll
b. archaic : a diminutive reflection of oneself in the pupil of another's eye — used chiefly in the phrase to look babies in (another's) eyes
3. : one that is like a baby in character or conduct ; especially : one that is petulant, dependent on another, or unable to endure even mild pain or deprivation
4. slang
a. : girl , woman — often used in address
b. : boy , man — often used in address
5. slang : person , thing
this chap … is a tough baby — D.G.Gerahty
the young airman had sent a picture of the plane … with the notation, “This is the baby I'm going to fly” — Springfield (Massachusetts) Daily News
II. adjective
( -er/-est )
1. : of or relating to a baby
2. : much smaller in size that is usual for a particular class of things : small , diminutive
the Depot Commander had set forth in the babiest of baby cars — Blackwood's
a baby extension ladder — Training Manual for Auxiliary Firemen
baby pine trees
III. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
1.
a. : to tend solicitously : make much of : gratify the whims of : humor
babied her strapping big son till he was thoroughly spoiled
baby a sick husband
b. : to operate, handle, or treat with special or fond care
baby the engine of a racing car
windows, behind any one of which a German sniper might be hiding, babying his rifle — Irwin Shaw
2. : to hit (a ball) with a gentle stroke of the bat or racket (as in badminton)
Synonyms: see indulge