hobgoblin
pronunciation
How to pronounce hobgoblin in British English:
UK [hɒbˈgɒblɪn]
How to pronounce hobgoblin in American English:
US [ˈhɑbgɑblɪn]
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- Noun:
- (folklore) a small grotesque supernatural creature that makes trouble for human beings
- an object of dread or apprehension
Word Origin
- hobgoblin (n.)
- 1520s, from hob "elf," from Hobbe, a variant of Rob (compare Hick for Richard, Hodge for Rodger, etc.), short for Robin Goodfellow, elf character in German folklore, + goblin.
Example
- 1. The hobgoblin becomes the child , and the child becomes a hobgoblin .
- 2. Key word : hobgoblin , image , aesthetic value , realistic significance .
- 3. No hobgoblin appeared , although a black cat did try to cross my path .
- 4. But on a recent weekend , the crowds at legends bar and the hobgoblin , part of the same chain , were half their usual size and mainly japanese .
- 5. When she hung over the foot of their bed and outlined the work she expected them to do when they recovered , they looked at her as if she were a hobgoblin .