Babble

Bab"ble, v. t. 1. To utter in an indistinct or incoherent way; to repeat, as words, in a childish way without understanding.

These [words] he used to babble in all companies.
Arbuthnot.

2. To disclose by too free talk, as a secret.

Bab"ble, n. 1. Idle talk; senseless prattle; gabble; twaddle. "This is mere moral babble." Milton.

2. Inarticulate speech; constant or confused murmur.

The babble of our young children.
Darwin.

The babble of the stream.
Tennyson.

Bab"ble (băb"b'l), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Babbled (-b'ld); p. pr. & vb. n. Babbling.] [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.] 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 brook 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.

Syn. -- To prate; prattle; chatter; gossip.