Bobber

bob ¹  (bb)

v. bobbed, bob·bing, bobs

v.tr.

1. To hit lightly and quickly; tap.

2. To cause to move up and down: bobbed my head in response to the question.

v.intr.

1. To move up and down: a cork bobbing on the water.

2. To grab at floating or hanging objects with the teeth: bobbed for apples.

3. To curtsy or bow.

n.

1. A tap or light blow.

2. A quick, jerky movement of the head or body.

Phrasal Verb:

bob up

To appear or arise unexpectedly or suddenly.

---

[Middle English bobben, to move up and down, probably ultimately of imitative origin.]

---

bob ²  (bb)

n.

1. A small, knoblike pendent object, such as a plumb bob.

2. A fishing float or cork.

3. A small lock or curl of hair.

4. A woman's or child's short haircut.

5. Informal Surgical shortening or reshaping of the nose.

6. The docked tail of a horse.

7.

a. A bobsled.

b. A bob skate.

v. bobbed, bob·bing, bobs

v.intr.

To fish with a bob.

v.tr.

To cut short or reshape: bobbed her hair; had his nose bobbed.

---

[Middle English bobbe, cluster of fruit.]

---

bobber n.

---

bob ³  (bb)

n. pl. bob Chiefly British

A shilling.

---

[Origin unknown.]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

bobber - a small float usually made of cork; attached to a fishing line bobfloat, cork, bob fishing gear, fishing rig, fishing tackle, tackle, rig - gear used in fishing float - something that floats on the surface of water