English

Proper noun

Hob

1. (obsolete) A nickname for Robin or Robert
2. (archaic) A nickname for Robin Goodfellow, Puck; (later) the devil
3. A patronymic surname​.

Derived terms

• hob
• play hob with, raise hob

English

Noun

hob ‎(plural hobs)

1. A kind of cutting tool, used to cut the teeth of a gear.
2. (obsolete) The flat projection or iron shelf at the side of a fire grate, where things are put to be kept warm.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Smart to this entry?)

3. (Britain, Australia, New Zealand) The top cooking surface on a cooker. It typically comprises several cooking elements (often four), also known as 'rings'.
   • 1913, Lawrence, Sons and Lovers, chapter 2

     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.

4. A rounded peg used as a target in several games, especially in quoits.
5. A male ferret.
6. The hub of a wheel.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Washington to this entry?)

Synonyms

• (cooking surface): cooktop, stovetop, range (US)

Translations

Verb

hob ‎(third-person singular simple present hobs, present participle hobbing, simple past and past participle hobbed)

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

Etymology 2

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.

Noun

hob ‎(plural hobs)

1. (obsolete) A fairy; a sprite; an elf; a bogey.

   From elves, hobs, and fairies, […] Defend us, good Heaven! — Beaumont and Fletcher.

2. (obsolete) A countryman; a rustic or yokel.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Nares to this entry?)

Synonyms

• (supernatural creature): See goblin (hostile)

Derived terms

• play hob with, raise hob

References

• hob in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913

Anagrams

• BHO, HBO

German

Pronunciation

Verb

hob

1. First-person singular preterite of heben.
2. Third-person singular preterite of heben.

Lower Sorbian

Preposition

hob

1. Obsolete spelling of wob