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.

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