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.] Zool.
A small, strong-winged European falcon (Falco subbuteo), formerly trained for hawking.
© Webster 1913.
Hob"by (?), 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 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
hobbyhorse.]
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 unduly, or to the weariness of others; a ruling passion.
[Usually under the form
hobby.]
Not one of them has any hobbyhorse, to use the phrase of Sterne.
Macaulay.
© Webster 1913.