Babbitt
noun
A type of soft metal used in some mechanical parts.
The mechanic replaced the worn-out babbitt in the engine.
Often appears as...
- babbitt metal
- babbitt bearing
Usage tips
Technical
noun
A person who cares too much about business and financial success, and not enough about other things in life, named after a character in Sinclair Lewis' novel 'Babbitt'.
His obsession with success and wealth turned him into a real babbitt.
Often appears as...
- become a babbitt
- act like a babbitt
Usage tips
Disapproving
Literary
noun
A type of soft metal used in some mechanical parts.
The mechanic replaced the worn-out babbitt in the engine.
Often appears as...
- babbitt metal
- babbitt bearing
Usage tips
Technical
noun
A person who cares too much about business and financial success, and not enough about other things in life, named after a character in Sinclair Lewis' novel 'Babbitt'.
His obsession with success and wealth turned him into a real babbitt.
Often appears as...
- become a babbitt
- act like a babbitt
Usage tips
Disapproving
Literary
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Mechanical Usage
Used in engineering to refer to a specific metal alloy in machine parts.
The babbitt bearings reduce friction and wear in the machinery.
Pro Tip 2/3Not General Metal
Babbitt specifically describes a soft bearing metal, not any metal in general.
Unlike steel, babbitt easily molds to the shaft it supports.
Pro Tip 3/3Replacement Context
Mention of babbitt often implies maintenance or replacement of machine parts.
We'll need to check the babbitt for wear during the next service interval.
Pro Tip 1/3Mechanical Usage
Used in engineering to refer to a specific metal alloy in machine parts.
The babbitt bearings reduce friction and wear in the machinery.
Pro Tip 2/3Not General Metal
Babbitt specifically describes a soft bearing metal, not any metal in general.
Unlike steel, babbitt easily molds to the shaft it supports.
Pro Tip 3/3Replacement Context
Mention of babbitt often implies maintenance or replacement of machine parts.
We'll need to check the babbitt for wear during the next service interval.
Pro Tip 1/3Mechanical Usage
Used in engineering to refer to a specific metal alloy in machine parts.
The babbitt bearings reduce friction and wear in the machinery.
Pro Tip 2/3Not General Metal
Babbitt specifically describes a soft bearing metal, not any metal in general.
Unlike steel, babbitt easily molds to the shaft it supports.
Pro Tip 3/3Replacement Context
Mention of babbitt often implies maintenance or replacement of machine parts.
We'll need to check the babbitt for wear during the next service interval.
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Video examples
Why language is...
authors can invest into these fictional beings. So much so, that, I mean -- take a look at this. There's an entire series of books that are written about fictional characters. Like, the entire book is just about one fictional, fake human being. There's an entire book on George F. Babbitt
Video examples
Why language is...
authors can invest into these fictional beings. So much so, that, I mean -- take a look at this. There's an entire series of books that are written about fictional characters. Like, the entire book is just about one fictional, fake human being. There's an entire book on George F. Babbitt
Example 1 of 1
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