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Hob

//hɑb// name, noun, verb

Definitions

Proper Noun
  1. 1
    A nickname for Robin or Robert obsolete
  2. 2
    A nickname for Robin Goodfellow, Puck; (later) the devil archaic
  3. 3
    A surname originating as a patronymic.
Noun
  1. 1
    A kind of cutting tool, used to cut the teeth of a gear.
  2. 2
    A fairy; a sprite; an elf; a bogey. obsolete

    "From elves, hobs, and fairies, […] Defend us, good Heaven!"

  3. 3
    a shelf beside an open fire where something can be kept warm wordnet
  4. 4
    The flat projection or iron shelf at the side of a fire grate, where things are put to be kept warm. historical

    "They went into a dingy room lined with books and littered with papers, where there was a blazing fire. A kettle steamed upon the hob, and in the midst of the wreck of papers a table shone, with plenty of wine upon it, and brandy, and rum, and sugar, and lemons."

  5. 5
    A countryman; a rustic or yokel. obsolete

    "More fitter for the Country Hobs."

Show 7 more definitions
  1. 6
    a hard steel edge tool used to cut gears wordnet
  2. 7
    The top cooking surface on a cooker; a cooktop. It typically comprises several cooking elements (often four), also known as 'rings'. Commonwealth, Ireland, UK

    "And the first sound in the house was the bang, bang of the poker against the raker, as Morel smashed the remainder of the coal to make the kettle, which was filled and left on the hob, finally boil."

  3. 8
    (folklore) fairies that are somewhat mischievous wordnet
  4. 9
    A rounded peg used as a target in several games, especially in quoits.
  5. 10
    (folklore) a small grotesque supernatural creature that makes trouble for human beings wordnet
  6. 11
    A male ferret.
  7. 12
    The hub of a wheel.

    "August 31 1776, George Washington, letter to the President of Congress the wheels of the carriages sinking up to the hobs rendered it impossible for our whole force to drag them."

Verb
  1. 1
    To create (a gear) by cutting with a hob. transitive
  2. 2
    cut with a hob wordnet
  3. 3
    To engage in the process of cutting gears with a hob. intransitive

Etymology

Etymology 1

Related to hub, but the ultimate origin of both words is obscure.

Etymology 2

Related to hub, but the ultimate origin of both words is obscure.

Etymology 3

From Middle English Hob (a diminutive of Robin, an Old French [Term?] diminutive of Robert), through its connection with Robin Goodfellow and (later) the devil. Compare hobgoblin; see robin.

Etymology 4

From a medieval diminutive form of the given name Robin, and separately as a French diminutive of Robert.

See also for "hob"

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