Babywear

Part of speech: noun, verb

Definitions

1. Clothing specifically designed and sized for infants and very young children ; garments made to provide comfort, warmth, and protection for newborns and toddlers ; apparel intended for babies including onesies, sleepers, and small outfits tailored to their needs
2. Apparel crafted to fit infants comfortably ; small-sized clothes meant for newborns and toddlers to wear ; specialized garments designed to protect and keep babies warm
3. Garments produced to fit babies, prioritizing softness and ease of use ; clothing items intended for very young children to wear daily ; infants' dresses and outfits designed for comfort and safety during early life stages

Etymology: "Babywear" is a plain compound, made by joining "baby" and "-wear" (the word "wear" in the sense of clothing, as in "menswear" or "sportswear"). The noun is a back-formation from "babywearing," the practice of carrying an infant against the body in a sling or carrier. In other words, the clothing term was derived by trimming an existing word that described the activity, rather than being built directly from the parts of the clothing itself. The sense of "babywear" as a noun therefore points toward the wearer rather than the garment. Writers first needed a term for the act of carrying a baby on the body, and the shorter noun for the apparel followed from it.

Synonyms: baby carrier, baby sling, baby wrap