Babel

See Wiktionary Babel for information about language boxes on user pages

See also babel

English

Etymology

From Latin Babel, from Hebrew בבל (“Babylon”), from Akkadian  (bāb ili, “gate of God”); in Genesis associated with the idea of confusion.

Pronunciation

• (UK, US) IPA: /ˈbeɪ.b(ə)l/, X-SAMPA: /"beI.b@l/
• Rhymes: -eɪbəl

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

• Babel fish
• Babelesque
• Babelian
• Babelish
• tower of Babel
• Tower of Babel

See also

• Wiktionary Babel for user pages