online medical dictionary | definition of 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.

Synonyms: 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.

(01 Mar 1998)