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Webster 1913 Edition


Namby-pamby

Nam′by-pamˊby

,
Noun.
[From
Ambrose Phillips
, in ridicule of the extreme simplicity of some of his verses.]
Talk or writing which is weakly sentimental or affectedly pretty.
Macaulay.

Nam′by-pamˊby

,
Adj.
1.
Affectedly pretty; weakly sentimental; finical; insipid.
Thackeray.
Namby-pamby
madrigals of love.
W. Gifford.

Definition 2024


namby-pamby

namby-pamby

English

Adjective

namby-pamby (comparative more namby-pamby, superlative most namby-pamby)

  1. Insipid and sentimental.
  2. Lacking vigor or decisiveness; spineless; wishy-washy.

Translations

Noun

namby-pamby (plural namby-pambies)

  1. One who is insipid, sentimental, or weak.
  2. Talk or writing which is weakly sentimental or affectedly pretty.
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Macaulay to this entry?)

Translations

References

  1. Online Etymology Dictionary: namby-pamby