| babble | 1. To utter words indistinctly or unintelligibly; to utter inarticulate sounds; as a child babbles. 2. To talk incoherently; to utter unmeaning words. 3. To talk much; to chatter; to prate. 4. To make a continuous murmuring noise, as shallow water running over stones. "In every babbling he finds a friend." (Wordsworth) Hounds are said to babble, or to be babbling, when they are too noisy after having found a good scent. Synonym: To prate, prattle, chatter, gossip. Origin: Cf.LG. Babbeln, D. Babbelen, G. Bappeln, bappern, F. Babiller, It. Babbolare; prob. Orig, to keep saying ba, imitative of a child learning to talk. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| babbler | 1. An idle talker; an irrational prater; a teller of secrets. " Great babblers, or talkers, are not fit for trust." (L'Estrange) 2. A hound too noisy on finding a good scent. 3. <ornithology> A name given to any one of family (Timalinae) of thrushlike birds, having a chattering note. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |