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hobgoblin

   Also found in: Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.03 sec.
hob·gob·lin  (hbgbln)
n.
1. An ugly, mischievous elf or goblin.
2. An object or a source of fear, dread, or harassment; a bugbear: "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds" (Ralph Waldo Emerson).
hobgoblin [ˌhɒbˈgɒblɪn]
n
1. (Myth & Legend / European Myth & Legend) an evil or mischievous goblin
2. (Myth & Legend / European Myth & Legend) a bogey; bugbear
[from hob2 + goblin]
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.hobgoblinhobgoblin - (folklore) a small grotesque supernatural creature that makes trouble for human beings
goblin, hob
folklore - the unwritten lore (stories and proverbs and riddles and songs) of a culture
evil spirit - a spirit tending to cause harm
2.hobgoblin - an object of dread or apprehension; "Germany was always a bugbear for France"; "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds"--Ralph Waldo Emerson
bugbear
object - the focus of cognitions or feelings; "objects of thought"; "the object of my affection"
Translations
hobgoblin [ˈhɒbˌgɒblɪn] N → duende m, trasgo m
hobgoblin
n → Kobold m, → Butzemann m; (= bogey) → schwarzer Mann, Butzemann m


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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
The robbers, who had been not a little frightened by the opening concert, had now no doubt that some frightful hobgoblin had broken in upon them, and scampered away as fast as they could.
Fairy Tales by Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm View in context
Some few persons I have met by chance, and sent them home heartily frighted, as from the oddness of my dress and figure they took me for a ghost or a hobgoblin.
The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling by Fielding, Henry View in context
Help this rascal to set up the coach," sai the hobgoblin to me; then, with a terrific screech at three countrymen at a distance, "Here, you fellows, ain't you ashamed to stand off when a poor woman is in distress?
Mosses From An Old Manse and other stories by Hawthorne, Nathaniel View in context
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