Baby

baby [ˈbeɪbɪ]

n pl -bies

1.

a.  a newborn or recently born child; infant

b.  (as modifier) baby food

2. the youngest or smallest of a family or group

3. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Zoology)

a.  a newborn or recently born animal

b.  (as modifier) baby rabbits

4. Usually derogatory an immature person

5. Slang a young woman or sweetheart: often used as a term of address expressing affection

6. a project of personal concern

be left holding the baby to be left with the responsibility

throw the baby out with the bath water to lose the essential element by indiscriminate rejection

adj

(prenomial) comparatively small of its type a baby car

vb -bies, -bying, -bied (tr)

1. to treat with love and attention

2. to treat (someone) like a baby; pamper or overprotect

[probably childish reduplication; compare mama, papa]

babyhood  n

babyish  adj