bab|bitt

bab|bitt
bab|bitt «BAB iht», noun, verb.
–n.
an alloy of tin, antimony, copper, and sometimes lead, used especially in bearings to lessen friction; Babbitt metal. Babbitt is whitish in color and usually feels slippery, almost greasy, when it is rubbed.
–v.t.
to line or furnish (a bearing) with babbitt.
[American English < Isaac Babbitt, 1799-1862, an American inventor]
Bab|bitt «BAB iht», noun.
a smug, self-satisfied businessman, especially one who conforms to middle-class standards of respectability and business success.
[< George Babbitt, the central character of Sinclair Lewis's novel Babbitt (1922)]

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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  • Bab|bitt — «BAB iht», noun, verb. –n. an alloy of tin, antimony, copper, and sometimes lead, used especially in bearings to lessen friction; Babbitt metal. Babbitt is whitish in color and usually feels slippery, almost greasy, when it is rubbed. –v.t. to… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Bab|bitt|ry — or Bab|bitt|ry «BAB uh tree», noun. conformity to middle class ideas of respectability and business success …   Useful english dictionary

  • bab|bitt|ry — or Bab|bitt|ry «BAB uh tree», noun. conformity to middle class ideas of respectability and business success …   Useful english dictionary

  • bab — bab·bitt·er; bab·bitt·ism; bab·bitt·ry; bab·bla·tive; bab·ble·ment; bab·bler; bab·bly; bab·by; bab·cock; bab·e·si·a·sis; bab·i·a·na; bab·ing·ton·ite; bab·i·ru·sa; bab·ism; bab·ist; bab·ra·cot; bab·root; bab·u·i·na; bab·y·lon; bab·y·lon·ic;… …   English syllables

  • bitt — bab·bitt·er; bab·bitt·ism; bab·bitt·ry; bitt; un·bitt; bab·bitt; bab·bitt·i·cal; …   English syllables

  • babbitt — bab·bitt …   English syllables

  • babbitter — bab·bitt·er …   English syllables

  • babbittry — bab·bitt·ry …   English syllables

  • babbittmetal — bab·bitt metal (băbʹĭt) n. Any of several soft, silvery antifriction alloys composed of tin usually with small amounts of copper and antimony.   [After Isaac Babbitt (1799 1862), American inventor who patented such an alloy.] * * * …   Universalium

  • Babbittry — Bab•bitt•ry or Bab•bit•ry [[t]ˈbæb ɪ tri[/t]] n. (often l.c.) the attitude and behavior of a Babbitt • Etymology: 1925–30 …   From formal English to slang

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