Hyper Dictionary

English Dictionary Computer Dictionary Video Dictionary Thesaurus Dream Dictionary Medical Dictionary

Search Dictionary:  

Meaning of HOBBY

Pronunciation:  'hâbee

WordNet Dictionary
  1. [n]  an auxiliary activity
  2. [n]  small Old World falcon formerly trained and flown at small birds
  3. [n]  a child's plaything consisting of an imitation horsehead on one end of a stick; the child straddles it and pretends to ride

HOBBY is a 5 letter word that starts with H.


 Synonyms: avocation, by-line, cockhorse, Falco subbuteo, hobbyhorse, rocking horse, sideline, spare-time activity, stick horse
 See Also: Falco, falcon, genus Falco, interest, pastime, plaything, pursuit, rocker, spelaeology, speleology, toy



Webster's 1913 Dictionary
  1. \Hob"by\, n.; pl. {Hobbies}. [OE. hobi; cf. OF. hobe,
    hob['e], F. hobereau a hobby, a species of falcon. OF. hober
    to move, stir. Cf. {Hobby} a horse.] (Zo["o]l.)
    A small, strong-winged European falcon ({Falco subbuteo}),
    formerly trained for hawking.
  2. \Hob"by\, Hobbyhorse \Hob"by*horse`\, n. [OE. hobin a nag,
    akin to E. hop to jump.]
    1. A strong, active horse, of a middle size, said to have
       been originally from Ireland; an ambling nag. --Johnson.
    2. A stick, often with the head or figure of a horse, on
       which boys make believe to ride. [ Usually under the form
    3. A subject or plan upon which one is constantly setting
       off; a favorite and ever-recurring theme of discourse,
       thought, or effort; that which occupies one's attention
       [Usually under the form {hobby}.]
             Not one of them has any hobbyhorse, to use the
             phrase of Sterne.                     --Macaulay.