kobold
Americannoun
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a spirit or goblin, often mischievous, that haunts houses.
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a spirit that haunts mines or other underground places.
noun
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a mischievous household sprite
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a spirit that haunts subterranean places, such as mines
Etymology
Origin of kobold
Borrowed into English from German in 1625–35
Explanation
A kobold is a mischievous spirit or gnome from German folklore. In children's books kobolds are usually pictured wearing pointy red hats. As household spirits, kobolds are said to perform chores, like tidying or cleaning up. But because they're pranksters, they are also famous for hiding things, tripping people, or otherwise being naughty. They're a little bit scary, too, resorting to cruelty or violence when crossed. The word kobald means "household gremlin" in German, from kob, "house or chamber."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In a typical game, online or off, the game master will present the players with a situation — an encounter with a kobold, say.
From New York Times ● Mar. 6, 2021
The next picture on which he came illustrated a fairy-story, and represented a kobold or some malicious spirit with evil eyes, a fierce moustache and a huge open mouth.
From The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Masterpieces of German Literature Vol. 19 by Various
He shut himself in his room like some venomous kobold or flibbertigibbet, whining, complaining, cursing, accusing.
From Heart of the West by O. Henry
The kobold of the phantom ship is named Klabot´erman, a kobold who helps sailors at their work, but beats those who are idle.
From Character Sketches of Romance, Fiction and the Drama, Vol. 1 A Revised American Edition of the Reader's Handbook by Ebenezer Cobham Brewer
Above was star-sown night, but Rome lay under a kobold roof of her own lighting.
From Foes by Mary Johnston
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
