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cobble

1
[ kob-uhl ]
/ ˈkɒb əl /
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verb (used with object), cob·bled, cob·bling.
to mend (shoes, boots, etc.); patch.
to put together roughly or clumsily.
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Origin of cobble

1
First recorded in 1490–1500; apparently back formation from cobbler

Other definitions for cobble (2 of 3)

cobble2
[ kob-uhl ]
/ ˈkɒb əl /

noun
a cobblestone.
cobbles, coal in lumps larger than a pebble and smaller than a boulder.
Metalworking.
  1. a defect in a rolled piece resulting from loss of control over its movement.
  2. Slang. a piece showing bad workmanship.
verb (used with object), cob·bled, cob·bling.
to pave with cobblestones.

Origin of cobble

2
First recorded in 1595–1605; of uncertain origin; perhaps cob + -le; see cobblestone

Other definitions for cobble (3 of 3)

cobble3
[ kob-uhl ]
/ ˈkɒb əl /

noun
New England, New York State, and New Jersey. (especially in placenames) a rounded hill.

Origin of cobble

3
First recorded in 1885–95; perhaps from cobble2
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use cobble in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for cobble (1 of 2)

cobble1
/ (ˈkɒbəl) /

noun
short for cobblestone
geology a rock fragment, often rounded, with a diameter of 64–256 mm and thus smaller than a boulder but larger than a pebble
verb
(tr) to pave (a road) with cobblestones
See also cobbles

Derived forms of cobble

cobbled, adjective

Word Origin for cobble

C15 (in cobblestone): from cob 1

British Dictionary definitions for cobble (2 of 2)

cobble2
/ (ˈkɒbəl) /

verb (tr)
to make or mend (shoes)
to put together clumsily

Word Origin for cobble

C15: back formation from cobbler 1
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

Scientific definitions for cobble

cobble
[ kŏbəl ]

A rock fragment larger than a pebble and smaller than a boulder. Pebbles have a diameter between 64 and 256 mm (2.56 and 10.24 inches) and are often rounded.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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