dobbin

American  

[dob-in] / ˈdɒb ɪn /

noun

1. a horse, especially a quiet, plodding horse for farm work or family use.

2. a drinking vessel of the 18th century holding a gill.

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dobbin British  

/ ˈdɒbɪn /

noun

1. a name for a horse, esp a workhorse, often used in children's tales, etc

2. a trolley for moving loose wool in a woolshed or shearing shed

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Etymology

Origin of dobbin

First recorded in 1590–1600; alteration of Robin, diminutive or pet name of Robert

Example Sentences

While Winnie monopolized Brigit, Ella went to her bedroom and opened her little red door to find the family's dirt dobbin perched on the canopy of her bed.

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton

“Sometimes the hay we gets ain’t the sweetest o’ perfoomery, dobbin, old chummie; then I appeals to polly, cause you see if polly can eat it so kin i.

From The Cruise of the Land-Yacht "Wanderer" Thirteen Hundred Miles in my Caravan by Stables, Gordon

Should some rough, unfeeling dobbin, In this iron-hearted age, Seize thee on thy nest, my Robin, And confine thee in a cage, Then, poor prisoner! think of me— Think, and sigh for liberty.

From The Modern Scottish Minstrel, Volume I. The Songs of Scotland of the past half century by Rogers, Charles

The meal was put in the wagon, the horse unhitched, the wagon mounted, the goad picked up and a thrust made, but dobbin was in no hurry.

From A Study of Hawthorne by Lathrop, George Parsons

Which I never loses my temper, dobbin, whatsomever.

From The Cruise of the Land-Yacht "Wanderer" Thirteen Hundred Miles in my Caravan by Stables, Gordon