Lullabie
/ˈlʌl.ə.bi/noun
An obsolete or historical spelling of “lullaby,” a soothing song sung to help a child sleep.
Did you know?The exact origin of “lullaby” is uncertain: “lull” is probably imitative or expressive, while “by” may preserve a soothing refrain comparable to “bye-bye,” rather than meaning anything overtly magical.
Etymological Timeline
Middle English
English
lullen
“To soothe, calm, or put to sleep; probably an expressive or imitative verb.”
16th Century
English
lullaby
“A soothing refrain or song used to quiet a child.”
16th–17th Century
English
lullabie
“A historical spelling variant of “lullaby.””
17th Century
English
lullaby
“A song or chant intended to induce sleep.”
Modern English
English
lullaby
“A gentle song sung to help a child sleep.”