bobbin

[ bob-in ]
/ ˈbɒb ɪn /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR bobbin ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a reel, cylinder, or spool upon which yarn or thread is wound, as used in spinning, machine sewing, lacemaking, etc.
Electricity.
  1. a spoollike form around which a coil of insulated wire is wound to provide an inductance.
  2. the coil itself.

QUIZZES

PRACTICE SOME ESCAPISM WITH THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ!

We salute you if you remember all the doovers from Word of the Day between May 25 and May 31!
Question 1 of 7
salute
to call out to in order to stop, attract attention, ask aid, etc.
to wield power; exercise rule.
to express respect or praise for; honor; commend.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of bobbin

1520–30; < Middle French bobine hank of thread, perhaps bob- an expressive base akin to bob2 + -ine -ine2

Words nearby bobbin

bobadilla, bobbejaan, bobber, bobbery, bobbie, bobbin, bobbin and fly frame, bobbin and joan, bobbin lace, bobbin turning, bobbinet
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to bobbin

cord, cylinder, pin, coil, spindle, braid, reel, ratchet, quill

Example sentences from the Web for bobbin

British Dictionary definitions for bobbin

bobbin
/ (ˈbɒbɪn) /

noun

a spool or reel on which thread or yarn is wound, being unwound as required; spool; reel
narrow braid or cord used as binding or for trimming
a device consisting of a short bar and a length of string, used to control a wooden door latch
  1. a spool on which insulated wire is wound to form the coil of a small electromagnetic device, such as a bell or buzzer
  2. the coil of such a spool
(plural) British slang matter that is worthless or of inferior quality; rubbish

Word Origin for bobbin

C16: from Old French bobine, of unknown origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012