babeldom
|ba-bel-dom|
🇺🇸
/ˈbeɪbəlˌdəm/
🇬🇧
/ˈbeɪb(ə)lˌdɒm/
noisy confused state
Etymology
'babeldom' originates from English, specifically from 'Babel' (from Hebrew 'Bavel') and the Old English/Old High German element 'dōm'/'dom' meaning 'state' or 'condition'.
'Babel' comes from Hebrew 'Bavel' (the name of the city) and passed into Latin and Old French before English; the suffix '-dom' comes from Old English 'dōm' meaning 'judgment, state, condition', and was appended in English to form nouns indicating a state or domain (e.g. 'kingdom'). These elements were combined in modern English to form 'babeldom'.
Initially 'Babel' referred to the biblical place of confused languages; combined with '-dom', it came to mean generally a state of confused noise or disorder, which is its current usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a state or scene of noisy confusion; a confused mixture of voices or sounds (alluding to the biblical Tower of Babel).
The town square erupted into babeldom as the festival began, with vendors shouting and bands playing all at once.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/23 05:54