Babysit
/ˈbeɪ.bi.sɪt/noun
To care for a child temporarily while the parents are away.
Did you know?“Babysit” is a 20th-century compound, and its power is in the pairing of a child-word with a watchword: not ancient magic, but the language of protection made everyday.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
bæby / bebe
“An infant or very young child (later replaced by forms from baby-talk and nursery language).”
Late Middle English
English
sitten
“To sit; to remain in place, especially as a watcher or attendant.”
1700s
English
babysit (informal precursor)
“To stay with or tend a child for a short time.”
1920s
English
babysit
“To care for a child temporarily, especially for pay.”
Modern English
English
babysit
“To look after a child for a limited period while parents are absent.”