namby-pamby

3 definitions found

namby-pamby - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Namby-pamby \Nam"by-pam`by\, n. [From Ambrose Phillips, in
     ridicule of the extreme simplicity of some of his verses.]
     Talk or writing which is weakly sentimental or affectedly
     pretty. --Macaulay.
     [1913 Webster]

  Namby-pamby \Nam"by-pam`by\, a.
     1. Affectedly pretty; weakly sentimental; finical; insipid.
        --Thackeray.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Namby-pamby madrigals of love.        --W. Gifford.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Indecisive or weak; lacking firmness or resolve; -- of
        actions and policies.
        [PJC]

namby-pamby - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  namby-pamby
      adj 1: weak in willpower, courage or vitality [syn: namby-  pamby
             , gutless, spineless, wishy-washy]
      n 1: an insipid weakling who is foolishly sentimental