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In the collocation "baby girl" is "baby" an adjective or a noun?

Anat Magal-Lehavy
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    Two days ago, we just had the question on noun adjective. This is a dupl. Anat, please research previous questions. – Blessed Geek Jan 21 '14 at 08:38

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The answer would depend on context, but in most cases I think it is safe to assume baby is an attributive noun (or noun adjunct)— a noun which modifies another noun.

See also When can a noun be used attributively?.

Community
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choster
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  • How about 'a baby kitten'? Or even 'a baby oven' ? – WS2 Jan 21 '14 at 09:05
  • I can't think of a situation in which it would be an adjective. It always stays a nominal modifier. – RegDwigнt Jan 21 '14 at 09:53
  • Google claims it can: ... baby adjective

    comparatively small or immature of its kind. AHD goes further: baby adj. bab·i·er, bab·i·est

    1. Of or having to do with a baby.
    2. Infantile or childish.
    3. Small in comparison with others of the same kind: baby vegetables.
     – Edwin Ashworth Jan 21 '14 at 12:43