babine
|ba-bine|
/bəˈbiːn/
animal lip / mouth-flesh
Etymology
'babine' originates from French, specifically the word 'babine', where the word meant 'lip' or 'jowl'.
'babine' existed in modern French as 'babine' and was adopted into English (chiefly in regional or historical contexts) and into place names in Canada (e.g., Babine Lake, Babine River) via French-speaking fur traders and explorers.
Initially it meant 'lip' or 'jowl' in French; in English it has remained close to that meaning in dialectal use and additionally became a toponym/proper name in North America.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a (usually animal) lip or jowl; the fleshy part around the mouth of an animal (rare, dialectal).
He noticed a speck of blood on the fox's babine.
Synonyms
Noun 2
a proper name used for places and a people in British Columbia, Canada (e.g., Babine Lake, Babine River, the Babine people).
Babine Lake is known for its fishing and scenic shores.
Last updated: 2025/12/23 16:24