hob

¹

[hob]

noun

1. a projection or shelf at the back or side of a fireplace, used for keeping food warm.

2. a rounded peg or pin used as a target in quoits and similar games.

3. a game in which such a peg is used.

4. Machinery.,  a milling cutter for gear and sprocket teeth, splines, threads, etc., having helically arranged teeth and fed across the work as the work is rotated.

verb (used with or without object)

hobbed, hobbing 

1. Machinery.,  to cut with a hob.

hob

²

[hob]

noun

1. a hobgoblin or elf.

hob

¹

/ hɒb /

noun

1. the flat top part of a cooking stove, or a separate flat surface, containing hotplates or burners

2. a shelf beside an open fire, for keeping kettles, etc, hot

3. a steel pattern used in forming a mould or die in cold metal

4. a hard steel rotating cutting tool used in machines for cutting gears

verb

1. (tr) to cut or form with a hob

hob

²

/ hɒb /

noun

1. a hobgoblin or elf

2. a male ferret

3. informal,  to cause mischief or disturbance

Other Word Forms

• hobber noun
• hoblike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hob¹

First recorded in 1505–15; variant of obsolete hub “hob (in a fireplace)”; perhaps identical with hub

Origin of hob²

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, special use of Hob(be), for Robert or Robin

Word History and Origins

Origin of hob¹

C16: variant of obsolete hubbe, of unknown origin; perhaps related to _hub

Origin of hob²

C14: variant of Rob, short for Robin or Robert

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. raise hob, to cause a destructive commotion; behave disruptively.

   They raised such hob with their antagonistic questions that the meeting broke up.

2. play hob with, to do mischief or harm to.

   The child played hob with my radio, and now it won't work at all.

Example Sentences

The BBC investigation from within four unnamed asylum hotels also uncovered cramped living conditions, and smoke alarms covered with plastic bags as residents used electric hobs in their showers to cook.

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Pans are precariously placed on a hob and she is stirring away.

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She said: "She was majorly confused it was like the wires were getting crossed in her brain. She would make cold cups of tea and iron shirts on top of the hob."

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Microwaves, air fryers and some hobs and ovens all demand electricity.

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On a nearby cooking hob, Brogan is making a chicken curry.

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Related Words

• gnome 
• goblin 
• imp 
• leprechaun