bobbin
[bob-in]
- a reel, cylinder, or spool upon which yarn or thread is wound, as used in spinning, machine sewing, lacemaking, etc.
- Electricity.
- a spoollike form around which a coil of insulated wire is wound to provide an inductance.
- the coil itself.
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Origin of bobbin
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for bobbin
Contemporary Examples of bobbin
Howard Cosell once said to me, “Bobbin, you have a face for radio and a voice for print.”
Historical Examples of bobbin
The yarn from the ring frame, or mule, is wound in a large cop, or on a bobbin.
The Fabric of CivilizationAnonymous
Here for the first time is seen the combination of spindle, flyer and bobbin.
The Story of the Cotton PlantFrederick Wilkinson
"Pull the bobbin and the latch will go up," said the old grandmother.
Favorite Fairy TalesLogan Marshall
"I was twelve last month, Miss," says Helma, bobbin' polite.
Torchy, Private Sec.Sewell Ford
Cut the bobbin or tape into four nine-inch lengths and wrap and mark.
The Mother and Her ChildWilliam S. Sadler
bobbin
- 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
- a spool on which insulated wire is wound to form the coil of a small electromagnetic device, such as a bell or buzzer
- the coil of such a spool
- (plural) British slang matter that is worthless or of inferior quality; rubbish
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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
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Word Origin and History for bobbin
1520s, from French bobine, small instrument used in sewing or tapestry-making, perhaps from Latin balbus (see babble (v.)) for the stuttering, stammering noise it made.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper