a. and sb. [f. L. Babylōni-us, Gr. Βαβυλώνι-ος + -AN.]
A. adj. Of or belonging to Babylon; hence fig. a. huge, gigantic; † b. popish (obs.); c. (cf. Rev. xvii. 4) scarlet.
1637. Gillespie, Eng.-Pop. Cerem., II. vii. 28. The Babylonian baggage of Antichristian Ceremonies.
1790. Burke, Fr. Rev., 41. The confused jargon of their Babylonian pulpits.
1821. De Quincey, Confess., Wks. I. 131. No huge Babylonian centres of commerce towered into the clouds.
1848. Dickens, Dombey (1870), I. v. 89. A cocked hat and a Babylonian collar.
B. sb. An inhabitant of Babylon; hence fig. † a. papist (obs.), b. astrologer.
1564. Brief Exam., ***iij. We dwell not among the Babilonians and Chaldies.
1677. Gilpin, Dæmonol. (1867), 192. For from good bishops … they are become incurable Babylonians.
1795. Southey, Lett. fr. Spain (1799), 76. Here the Babylonian [= Romish Church] walks the street in full dress scarlet.
