dobby

American  

[dob-ee] / ˈdɒb i /

noun

dobbies plural

1. British Dialect. a fatuous person; fool.

2. Textiles.

   1. an attachment on a loom, used in weaving small patterns.

   2. Also called dobby weave.  a small geometric or floral pattern produced by this attachment.

   3. a fabric having such a pattern.

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dobby British  

/ ˈdɒbɪ /

noun

1. an attachment to a loom, used in weaving small figures

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• dobbies
  plural

Etymology

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

Example Sentences

It is a light, narrow cloth made with a coloured border which is often so elaborate as to require a dobby loom for its manufacture.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 5 "Cosway" to "Coucy" by Various

It is woven with either the plain weave or a small all-over dobby effect.

From Textiles For Commercial, Industrial, and Domestic Arts Schools; Also Adapted to Those Engaged in Wholesale and Retail Dry Goods, Wool, Cotton, and Dressmaker's Trades by Dooley, William H. (William Henry)

At the Manchester Royal Jubilee Exhibition, Messrs. Butterworth & Dickinson, Burnley, showed Catlow's patent dobby, which is illustrated above, as applied to a strong calico loom.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 647, May 26, 1888 by Various

This dobby is a double lift one, thus obtaining a wide shed, and the use of two lattice barrels connected by gearing so that they both revolve in the same direction.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 647, May 26, 1888 by Various

Falling in love iz like falling into mollassiss, sweet but dreadful dobby.

From The Complete Works of Josh Billings by Shaw, Henry W.