Part 839

<syn>Syn. -- To prate; prattle; chatter; gossip.</syn>

<h1>Babble</h1> <Xpage=109>

<hw>Bab"ble</hw>, <tt>v. i.</tt> <p><b>1.</b> <def>To utter in an indistinct or incoherent way; to repeat,as words, in a childish way without understanding.</def>

<blockquote>These [words] he used to <b>babble</b> in all companies. <i>Arbuthnot.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>To disclose by too free talk, as a secret.</def>

<h1>Babble</h1> <Xpage=109>

<hw>Bab"ble</hw>, <tt>n.</tt> <p><b>1.</b> <def>Idle talk; senseless prattle; gabble; twaddle.</def> "This is mere moral <i>babble</i>."

<i>Milton.</i>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Inarticulate speech; constant or confused murmur.</def>

<blockquote> The <b>babble</b> of our young children. <i>Darwin.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>The <b>babble</b> of the stream. <i>Tennyson.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Babblement</h1> <Xpage=109>

<hw>Bab"ble*ment</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>Babble.</def>

<i>Hawthorne.</i>

<h1>Babbler</h1> <Xpage=109>

<hw>Bab"bler</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <p><b>1.</b> <def>An idle talker; an irrational prater; a teller of secrets.</def>

<blockquote> Great <b>babblers</b>, or talkers, are not fit for trust. <i>L'Estrange.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>A hound too noisy on finding a good scent.</def>

<p><b>3.</b> <fld>(Zo\'94l.)</fld> <def>A name given to any one of family <spn>(Timalin\'91)</spn> of thrushlike birds, having a chattering note.</def>

<h1>Babblery</h1> <Xpage=109>

<hw>Bab"ble*ry</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>Babble.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i> Sir T. More</i>

<h1>Babe</h1> <Xpage=109>

<hw>Babe</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[Cf. Ir. <ets>bab</ets>, <ets>baban</ets>, W. <ets>baban</ets>, <ets>maban</ets>.]</ety>

<p><b>1.</b> <def>An infant; a young child of either sex; a baby.</def>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>A doll for children.</def>

<i> Spenser.</i>

<h1>Babehood</h1> <Xpage=109>