hob

views updated May 29 2018

hob1 / häb/ • n. 1. a flat metal shelf at the side or back of a fireplace, having its surface level with the top of the grate and used esp. for heating pans.2. a machine tool used for cutting gears or screw threads. hob2 • n. 1. a male ferret. Compare with gill4 (sense 2).2. archaic or dial. a sprite or hobgoblin.PHRASES: play (or raise) hob cause mischief.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

hob

views updated Jun 27 2018

hob2 side of a grate, perh. orig. back of a grate formed of a mass of clay XVI (hubbe); peg or pin as a target XVI. of unkn. orig.; cf. HUB.
Hence hobnail XVI.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

hob

views updated Jun 27 2018

hob a sprite or hobgoblin. In Middle English the word meant ‘country fellow’, and was a pet form of Rob, short for Robin or Robert, often referring specifically to Robin Goodfellow.

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable ELIZABETH KNOWLES

hob

views updated May 14 2018

hob1 rustic, clown XIV; sprite, elf XV. By-form of Rob, short for Robin, Robert.
Hence hobgoblin (cf. Robin Goodfellow) XVI.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

Hob

views updated Jun 11 2018

Hob. Abbreviated prefix to nos. in the Hoboken catalogue of Haydn's works.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music MICHAEL KENNEDY and JOYCE BOURNE

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