Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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About this entry:
First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Bab, n. [Northern ME. bab (15th c.), var. of Babe n.] A babe or baby. c1500-c1512 Dunb. iv. 27.
That … tyrand Takis on the moderis breist sowkand The bab, full of benignite 1513 Doug. viii. v: 24.
A bab in creddill Ib. x. ii. 20.
Gyf we … till ane bab commyt the batellis charge a1568 Scott xv. 23.
Kissing … my bab, my tendir bird 1560 Rolland Seven S. 55/32; Ib. 56/1; etc.
Besyde this bab, quhilk in the creddill lay 1567 Sat. P. iv. 183.
I leif … My bab and childe vnder the Counsallis cuire 1596 Dalr. I. 344/18.
Spairing nather women or babs 1606 Edinb. Test. XLII. 65 b.
For the weall of Johnne Levingstoun, his oy and bab 1626 Garden Worthies 159.
New born babs they brain'd