babying
|ba-by-ing|
/ˈbeɪ.bi.ɪŋ/
(baby)
young child
Etymology
'babying' originates from English, specifically the word 'baby', where 'baby' was formed by infantile/imitative sounds (related to 'babe'/'ba') meaning 'infant'.
'baby' changed from Middle English words like 'babe' and later became modern English 'baby'; adding the gerund/participle suffix '-ing' produced 'babying' to denote the action of treating like a baby.
Initially it referred to the noun 'infant', but over time the verb 'to baby' developed the sense 'to treat like an infant; to pamper', and 'babying' came to mean that action.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the act or practice of babying; pampering or overprotecting someone.
Babying can prevent children from learning independence.
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Verb 1
present participle of 'baby'; treating someone with excessive care or affection; to coddle or pamper, often preventing independence.
She was babying her elderly father, refusing to let him do anything for himself.
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Last updated: 2025/12/23 12:26