babies in the eyes

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English

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Noun

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babies in the eyes pl (plural only)

  1. (idiomatic, archaic) The minute reflection which one sees of oneself in the eyes of another.
    • 1634 (first performance), Thomas Heywood, Loves Maistresse: Or, The Queens Masque. [], London: [] Robert Raworth, for Iohn Crowch; and are to bee sold by Iasper Emery, [], published 1636, →OCLC, Act I:
      Shee clung about his necke, gave him ten kiſſes, / Toy'd vvith his locks, look'd babies in his eyes, []
    • 1821 January 8, [Walter Scott], Kenilworth; a Romance. [], volume (please specify |volume=I to III), Edinburgh: [] Archibald Constable and Co.; and John Ballantyne, []; London: Hurst, Robinson, and Co., →OCLC:
      "Nay, my lord, you must give me leave to conclude my picture.--Sussex governs England--the Queen's health fails--the succession is to be settled--a road is opened to ambition more splendid than ambition ever dreamed of. You hear all this as you sit by the hob, under the shade of your hall-chimney. You then begin to think what hopes you have fallen from, and what insignificance you have embraced; and all that you might look babies in the eyes of your fair wife oftener than once a fortnight."

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