We use cookies to enhance your experience on our website. By clicking 'continue' or by continuing to use our website, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. You can change your cookie settings in your browser at any time.

Continue
Find out more

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1934 (SND Vol. I). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BABBY, n. Also baaby (Lth. 1926 Wilson Cent. Scot. 228). A Sc. form of baby, mostly in the south country, also common in the north of Eng. [′bɑbɪ̢]Sc. [1829] Wilson Noctes Amb. (1855) II. 278:
He was haudin ye up in lang frocks, a skirlin babby.e.Lth. 1908 J. Lumsden Th' Loudons 185:
A baaby fresh rockit asleep.

[O.Sc. babby, dim. of O.Sc. bab, a baby.]

1241

snd