[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/babe/) [dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [B](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/b/) / babe # babe noun (a babe, babes) «babe» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova. ## Everyday 1. (old-fashioned, literary or Bible) A babe is a baby: «a babe in arms», the baby Jesus «the babe in the manger». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/babe/#m1) 2. (informal) «Babe» is a loving name people call their boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, wife or child, like «darling» or «honey». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/babe/#m2) 3. (slang, can be rude) A «babe» is a word for an attractive person, especially a young woman; many people find this disrespectful. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/babe/#m3) 4. «A babe in the woods» means someone innocent who does not know how the world works. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/babe/#m4) ### In the lessons In Christmas carols and Bible stories, «babe» means baby: «Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head… the babe». In everyday talk adults may say «Thanks, babe» to a partner. In stories, «a babe in arms» means a very young baby. Phrases: babe in arms, the babe in the manger, babe in the woods, hey babe. ### Examples - The shepherds found the babe lying in a manger. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/babe/#x1) - She was only a babe in arms when they moved to Ireland. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/babe/#x2) - «Thanks, babe,» Mum said to Dad. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/babe/#x3) - (informal) «Night night, babe,» said Mum as she switched off the light. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/babe/#x4) - He was a babe in the woods when it came to money. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/babe/#x5) - The carol tells of the babe born in Bethlehem. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/babe/#x6) - (slang) Calling a stranger «babe» can sound rude. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/babe/#x7) - Babe is also the name of a famous film about a pig. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/babe/#x8) - When the morning sun arose, the babe awoke. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/babe/#x9) ### Note Countable: a babe, babes. Register matters: «babe» meaning baby is old or poetic; as a pet name it is informal and used between people who are close; calling women you don't know «babe» is disrespectful. «Babes» is also UK slang for friends or partners. Not to be confused with «baby», the everyday word. ## In Jewish tradition In Isaiah it means a very young child, or a childish ruler. It is used to show shame in a country that has bad leaders. It also means babies killed in war. **Interpretation.** Isaiah warns that when a nation turns from God, immature leaders take charge. Tradition also reads the babes dashed in pieces as a picture of the horror of war. ### Examples - As for My people, a babe is their master, and women rule over them. (Prophets ISA.3.12, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/B/babe/#x1) - And I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them. (Prophets ISA.3.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/B/babe/#x2) - Their babes also shall be dashed in pieces before their eyes; their houses shall be spoiled, and their wives ravished. (Prophets ISA.13.16, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/B/babe/#x3) ### Note Countable: a babe, babes. Register matters: «babe» meaning baby is old or poetic; as a pet name it is informal and used between people who are close; calling women you don't know «babe» is disrespectful. «Babes» is also UK slang for friends or partners. Not to be confused with «baby», the everyday word. ## On Mova - [Trees and pragmatics of «babe» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/babe/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«babe» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/babe.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «babe» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/B/babe/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«babe» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/babe.html) on Mova free.