dobby

[ dob-ee ]

/ ˈdɒb i /

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Definition of dobby

noun, plural dob·bies.

British Dialect. a fatuous person; fool.

Textiles.

an attachment on a loom, used in weaving small patterns.
Also called dobby weave . a small geometric or floral pattern produced by this attachment.
a fabric having such a pattern.

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Origin of dobby

1685–95; akin to dial. dovie stupid, imbecile, derivative of dove to doze, dote, Old English dofian, dobian; cognate with German toben to rage; compare Old English dobende decrepit

Words nearby dobby

DOB, dobber, dobber-in, dobbin, Dobbs Ferry, dobby, dobby loom, Dobbyn, dobe, Dobell, Dobell's solution

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use dobby in a sentence

It is woven with either the plain weave or a small all-over dobby effect.
Textiles|William H. Dooley
Falling in love iz like falling into mollassiss, sweet but dreadful dobby.
The Complete Works of Josh Billings|Henry W. Shaw
Bear and I would have got up Dobby for his special edification.'
The Pillars of the House, Vol. II (of 2)|Charlotte M. Yonge
Ought to have seen Gran when he staggered in here an hour ago, Dobby.
A Little Book of Christmas|John Kendrick Bangs

"You've got some bundle there, Dobby," said Grantham, as Dobbleigh relieved himself of his burden of packages.
A Little Book of Christmas|John Kendrick Bangs

British Dictionary definitions for dobby

dobby

/ (ˈdɒbɪ) /

noun plural -bies

an attachment to a loom, used in weaving small figures

Word Origin for dobby

C17: perhaps from Dobby, pet form of Robert

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