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babbitt
1[ bab-it ]
adjective
- pertaining to or made of Babbitt metal.
verb (used with object)
- to line, face, or furnish with Babbitt metal.
Babbitt
2[ bab-it ]
noun
- Irving, 1865–1933, U.S. educator and critic.
- Milton Byron, 1916–2011, U.S. composer.
- (italics) a novel (1922) by Sinclair Lewis.
- (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.
Babbitt
1/ ˈæɪ /
noun
- derogatory.a narrow-minded and complacent member of the middle class
babbitt
2/ ˈæɪ /
verb
- tr to line (a bearing) or face (a surface) with Babbitt metal or a similar soft alloy
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Notes
By extension, a “Babbitt” is a narrow-minded, materialistic businessman.
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Derived Forms
- ˈٳٰ, noun
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51Թ History and Origins
Origin of babbitt1
First recorded in 1900–05; short for Babbitt metal
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51Թ History and Origins
Origin of babbitt1
C20: after George Babbitt , central character in the novel Babbitt (1922) by Sinclair Lewis
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Example Sentences
Examples have not been reviewed.
By “babbitt” he no doubt meant that Rice should install the metal casings in which the bearings were to sit.
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To refit the brasses to the jaws of the strap, the flanges which do not as a rule wear much are usually tinned with a soldering iron, and given a lining of babbitt metal.
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All bearings are of high-grade babbitt, die cast, and are interchangeable and easily replaced.
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If babbitt is bored dry, balls of metal tend to form on the tool point and score the work.
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Next in importance is its use in the making of solder and of babbitt or bearing metal.
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