babe

Everyday

1. (old-fashioned, literary or Bible) A babe is a baby: «a babe in arms», the baby Jesus «the babe in the manger». tree →
2. (informal) «Babe» is a loving name people call their boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, wife or child, like «darling» or «honey». tree →
3. (slang, can be rude) A «babe» is a word for an attractive person, especially a young woman; many people find this disrespectful. tree →
4. «A babe in the woods» means someone innocent who does not know how the world works. tree →

In the lessons

In Christmas carols and Bible stories, «babe» means baby: «Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head… the babe». In everyday talk adults may say «Thanks, babe» to a partner. In stories, «a babe in arms» means a very young baby. Phrases: babe in arms, the babe in the manger, babe in the woods, hey babe.

Examples

• The shepherds found the babe lying in a manger. tree →
• She was only a babe in arms when they moved to Ireland. tree →
• «Thanks, babe,» Mum said to Dad. tree →
• (informal) «Night night, babe,» said Mum as she switched off the light. tree →
• He was a babe in the woods when it came to money. tree →
• The carol tells of the babe born in Bethlehem. tree →
• (slang) Calling a stranger «babe» can sound rude. tree →
• Babe is also the name of a famous film about a pig. tree →
• When the morning sun arose, the babe awoke. tree →

Note

Countable: a babe, babes. Register matters: «babe» meaning baby is old or poetic; as a pet name it is informal and used between people who are close; calling women you don't know «babe» is disrespectful. «Babes» is also UK slang for friends or partners. Not to be confused with «baby», the everyday word.

In Jewish tradition

In Isaiah it means a very young child, or a childish ruler. It is used to show shame in a country that has bad leaders. It also means babies killed in war.

Interpretation. Isaiah warns that when a nation turns from God, immature leaders take charge. Tradition also reads the babes dashed in pieces as a picture of the horror of war.

Examples

• As for My people, a babe is their master, and women rule over them. (Prophets ISA.3.12, JPS 1917) tree →
• And I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them. (Prophets ISA.3.4, JPS 1917) tree →
• Their babes also shall be dashed in pieces before their eyes; their houses shall be spoiled, and their wives ravished. (Prophets ISA.13.16, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable: a babe, babes. Register matters: «babe» meaning baby is old or poetic; as a pet name it is informal and used between people who are close; calling women you don't know «babe» is disrespectful. «Babes» is also UK slang for friends or partners. Not to be confused with «baby», the everyday word.