hobbyhorse

hobbyhorse
noun Etymology: hobby small light horse, from Middle English hoby, hobyn, perhaps from Hobbin, nickname for Robert or Robin Date: circa 1553 1. a. a figure of a horse fastened about the waist in the morris dance b. a dancer wearing this figure 2. obsolete buffoon 3. a. a stick having an imitation horse's head at one end that a child pretends to ride b. rocking horse c. a toy horse suspended by springs from a frame 4. a. a topic to which one constantly reverts b. hobby II

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

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  • hobbyhorse — [häb′ē hôrs΄] n. 1. a) a figure of a horse attached to the waist of a person doing a morris dance so that the person seems to be riding it b) such a dancer 2. a child s toy consisting of a stick with a horse s head at one end: it is straddled in… …   English World dictionary

  • Hobbyhorse — Hobby Hob by, Hobbyhorse Hob by*horse , n. [OE. hobin a nag, OF. hobin hobby; cf. hober to stir, move; prob. of German or Scand. origin; cf. Dan. hoppe a mare, dial. Sw. hoppa; perh. akin to E. hop to jump.] 1. A strong, active horse, of a middle …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • hobbyhorse — Hobby Hob by, Hobbyhorse Hob by*horse , n. [OE. hobin a nag, OF. hobin hobby; cf. hober to stir, move; prob. of German or Scand. origin; cf. Dan. hoppe a mare, dial. Sw. hoppa; perh. akin to E. hop to jump.] 1. A strong, active horse, of a middle …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • hobbyhorse — hob|by|horse [ˈhɔbiho:s US ˈha:biho:rs] n [Date: 1500 1600; Origin: hobby small horse (14 19 centuries) (probably from Hobbin, a man s name, from Robin) + horse] 1.) a subject that someone has strong opinions about and that they talk about too… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • hobbyhorse — noun 1 (C) a child s toy like a horse s head on a stick, which the child pretends to ride on 2 be on your hobbyhorse to talk for a long time about a subject you think is very interesting …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • hobbyhorse — noun 1. a topic to which one constantly reverts don t get him started on his hobbyhorse • Hypernyms: ↑preoccupation 2. a child s plaything consisting of an imitation horse mounted on rockers; the child straddles it and pretends to ride • Syn:… …   Useful english dictionary

  • hobbyhorse — /hob ee hawrs /, n. 1. a stick with a horse s head, or a rocking horse, ridden by children. 2. a figure of a horse, attached at the waist of a performer in a morris dance, pantomime, etc. 3. a pet idea or project. [1550 60; HOBBY1 + HORSE] * * * …   Universalium

  • hobbyhorse — Synonyms and related words: agate, avocation, ball, baseball bat, bat, battledore, bauble, blocks, by line, checkerboard, chessboard, club, cockhorse, cricket bat, cue, doll, doll carriage, gewgaw, gimcrack, golf club, hobby, jack in the box,… …   Moby Thesaurus

  • hobbyhorse — see hobby horse …   English dictionary

  • hobbyhorse — n. wooden rocking horse; pet idea or project …   English contemporary dictionary

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