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• babbitt
  babbitt

  noun

  Babbitt metal.
• Babbitt
  Babbitt

  noun

  Irving, 1865–1933, U.S. educator and critic.

babbitt

¹ American  

[bab-it] / ˈbæb ɪt /

noun

1. Babbitt metal.

2. a bearing or lining of Babbitt metal.

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adjective

1. pertaining to or made of Babbitt metal.

verb (used with object)

1. to line, face, or furnish with Babbitt metal.

Babbitt ² American  

[bab-it] / ˈbæb ɪt /

noun

1. Irving, 1865–1933, U.S. educator and critic.

2. Milton Byron, 1916–2011, U.S. composer.

3. (italics) a novel (1922) by Sinclair Lewis.

4. (often lowercase) a self-satisfied person who conforms readily to conventional, middle-class ideas and ideals, especially of business and material success; Philistine: from the main character in the novel by Sinclair Lewis.

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babbitt ¹ British  

/ ˈbæbɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to line (a bearing) or face (a surface) with Babbitt metal or a similar soft alloy

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Babbitt ² British  

/ ˈbæbɪt /

noun

1. derogatory a narrow-minded and complacent member of the middle class

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Babbitt Cultural  

1. (1922) A novel by Sinclair Lewis. The title character, an American real estate agent in a small city, is portrayed as a crass, loud, overoptimistic boor who thinks only about money and speaks in clichés, such as “You've gotta have pep, by golly!”

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By extension, a “Babbitt” is a narrow-minded, materialistic businessman.

Other Word Forms

• Babbittry
  noun

Etymology

Origin of babbitt

First recorded in 1900–05; short for Babbitt metal

Example Sentences

He, a kindly babbitt, understands and finally helps Patsy to find the arms of the realtor.

From Time Magazine Archive

Balzac was a cross between a babbitt and a stroke of lightning.

From Time Magazine Archive

Last week this sleekest of ocean greyhounds nosed into Haifa, the port of call for Jerusalem, and one who is not a babbitt hastened ashore.

From Time Magazine Archive

"Technicolor" is the process with which this picture paints Zane Grey in hues like unto none he ever dreamed of conveying to the babbitt consciousness.

From Time Magazine Archive

The jaws of the wrench are also formed to receive babbitt metal linings which may be renewed as often as required.

From Modern Machine-Shop Practice, Volumes I and II by Rose, Joshua