|
| bab·ble [ bább'l ] |
verb (past and past participle bab·bled, present participle bab·bling, 3rd person present singular bab·bles) |
|
| Definition: |
| |
1. transitive and intransitive verb say or speak incoherently: to say something rapidly and incoherently without pausing, usually because of excitement or fear
 She babbled something I didn't catch and then dashed out.
|
2. intransitive verb speak irrelevantly: to talk rapidly or at length about things that seem irrelevant or foolish
 He babbled on about the importance of some new gadget.
|
3. transitive and intransitive verb blurt something out: to reveal something thoughtlessly or impulsively that is supposed to be secret or confidential
 immediately babbled the whole story to the neighbors
|
4. intransitive verb murmur continuously: to make a continuous low murmuring or bubbling sound
 a brook babbling through the pasture
|
noun |
|
| Definition: |
| |
1. sound of loud unintelligible voices: the sound of voices speaking too excitedly and rapidly to be heard properly
 the babble of guests in the hallway
|
2. foolish talk: irrelevant or foolish chatter
|
3. sound of running water: the low continuous murmuring or bubbling sound made by water as it flows along
|
| [13th century. Probably < Middle Low German or Middle Dutch babbelen, an imitation of the sound, or a similar formation in English] |
|
 bab·ble·ment noun |
 bab·bler noun |
|