— baby-sitter, babysitter , n.
/bay"bee sit'/ , v. , baby-sat, baby-sitting .
v.i.
1. to take charge of a child while the parents are temporarily away.
v.t.
2. to baby-sit for (a child): We've placed an ad for someone to baby-sit the youngsters in the evening.
3. to take watchful responsibility for; tend: It will be necessary for someone to baby-sit the machine until it is running properly. Also, babysit .
[ 1945-50 ]