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Webster 1913 Edition


Babel

Ba′bel

,
Noun.
[Heb.
Bābel
, the name of the capital of Babylonia; in Genesis associated with the idea of “confusion.”]
1.
The city and tower in the land of Shinar, where the confusion of languages took place.
Therefore is the name of it called
Babel
.
Gen. xi. 9.
2.
Hence: A place or scene of noise and confusion; a confused mixture of sounds, as of voices or languages.
That
babel
of strange heathen languages.
Hammond.
The grinding
babel
of the street
R. L. Stevenson.
.

Webster 1828 Edition


Babel

BA'BEL

,
Noun.
[Heb.] Confusion; disorder.

Definition 2024


Babel

Babel

See also: babel and bąbel
See Wiktionary Babel for information about language boxes on user pages

English

Proper noun

Babel

  1. The city and tower in the land of Shinar where the confusion of languages took place, according to the Bible.
    • Therefore is the name of it called Babel. - Gen. xi. 9.

Noun

Babel (plural Babels)

  1. A confused mixture of sounds and voices, especially in different languages. [from 16th c.]
    • 2007, Edwin Mullins, The Popes of Avignon, Blue Bridge 2008, p. 48:
      A babel of languages could be heard in the streets and the squares, mingling with the local Provençal.
  2. A place or scene of noise and confusion. [from 16th c.]
  3. A tall, looming structure. [from 16th c.]

Derived terms

See also

  • Wiktionary Babel for user pages

babel

babel

See also: Babel and bąbel
See Wiktionary Babel for information about language boxes on user pages

English

Noun

babel (plural babels)

  1. Alternative form of Babel