Also 6 bibbe, 7–8 bibb. [Prob. from BIB v.; but whether because worn by a child when drinking (cf. feeder), or because a bib imbibes moisture (Skeat), is purely conjectural.]
A cloth placed under a child’s chin, to keep the front of the dress clean, esp. at meals.
1580. Baret, Alv., B 634. A Bibbe for a childes breast: a gorget.
1589. Pappe w. Hatchet, C iij. Giue the infant a bibbe.
1613. Beaum. & Fl., Captain, III. v. We’ll have a bib, for spoiling of thy doublet.
1785. Cowper, Task, IV. 226. Misses, at whose age their mothers wore The back-string and the bib.
1840. Hood, Kilmansegg, xxxii. Her best bibs were made Of rich gold brocade.
b. A similar article worn over the breast by adults, frequently as the upper part of an apron. Best bib and tucker: put for ‘best clothes’ as a whole, properly of girls or women, but also of men.
1687. B. Randolph, Archipelago, 52. Before their breasts hangs a bibb which reaches a little below their wast.
1737. G. Smith, Cur. Relat., I. ii. 132. The Driver is dressed in his best Band and Bib.
1865. Dickens, Mut. Fr., iv. She girded herself with an apron, and contrived a bib to it.
1875. Lanc. Gloss. (E. D. S.), 37. An’ put him his best bib-an-tucker on, an’ went to look for a place for him.
c. attrib., as in bib-apron, -cravat.
1674. Dryden, Prol. Open. New House, 27. Only fools … Th’ extremity of modes will imitate, The dangling knee-fringe and the bib-cravat.
1750. Lady Featherstone, in Mem Ld. Gambier (1861), I. ii. 31. A laced bib-apron was brought to me.
1880. Kinglake, Crimea, VI. xi. 440. The gracious bib-apron seemed to fold her in honour.
