Definitions for: Hobby


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



Webster (1913) Definition: 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.


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 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.

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

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