babes
English meaning: Babes
Definition
A baby or infant; a very young human or animal.
Example
“These events came to pass when he was but a babe.”
Another example: “The old tale tells of two babes lost and abandoned in the wood.”
Usage — When, Where & How
Plural of 'babe', an informal-to-affectionate noun for a baby or, colloquially, an attractive young person. The 'baby/infant' sense is somewhat literary or dated; the slang sense is casual and can be considered objectifying.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Middle English 'babe', a shortening or childish form of 'baban' (baby), of imitative origin from infant babbling; recorded from the 14th century.
Related Words
- slimeball
- fontanelle
- spanking
- hansel
- busby
- kat
- fiasco
- operetta
- babe
- pantomime
Common Collocations
- babes in arms
- babes in the wood
- two babes
- tiny babes
Word Forms
babe (n); babes (pl)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B