rhizoverbBeta
DictionarybabeVery young child
noun

babe

BAYB/beɪb/

A baby or very young child.

The babe rests safely in an adult's arms.

A very young baby cradled safely in adult arms, peaceful awake face and natural anatomy, no lettering.
Etymology
babeMiddle Englishinfant, young child

Baban meant an infant and was probably imitative of baby talk. Babe retained the infant meaning while also developing an attractive-person sense, documented in slang for an attractive young woman.

In context

Trip Reports7:25
the babe that the parents wanted to bring in was handed and wrapped naked in a fresh towel to the mother
Native Sweat Medicine Lodge vs White Fear - A Peyote Trip Report

More examples

  • She held the sleeping babe close.
  • The old song tells of a babe in a cradle.
  • The family welcomed a new babe into the household.

Forms

babe · babes

baby noun — A very young child.

Similar words

baby
The usual modern term for a very young child.
infant
A more formal term for a young baby.