- bugbear
- bugbear [bug′ber΄]n.[ BUG2 + BEAR2]1. an imaginary hobgoblin or terror used to frighten children into good conduct2. anything causing seemingly needless or excessive fear or anxiety
English World dictionary. V. Neufeldt. 2014.
bugbear
Look at other dictionaries:
Bugbear — Bug bear , n. Same as {Bugaboo}. a. Causing needless fright. Locke. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Bugbear — Bug bear , v. t. To alarm with idle phantoms. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
bugbear — 1580s, a sort of demon in the form of a bear that eats small children, also object of dread (whether real or not), from BUG (Cf. bug) (n.) + BEAR (Cf. bear) (n.) … Etymology dictionary
bugbear — bête noire, *abomination, anathema … New Dictionary of Synonyms
bugbear — ► NOUN ▪ a cause of anxiety or irritation. ORIGIN probably from the obsolete bug evil spirit + BEAR(Cf. ↑bear) … English terms dictionary
Bugbear — A bugbear, also called a boogerbear , is a legendary creature comparable to the bogeyman, bogey, bugaboo, hobgoblin and other creatures of folklore, all of which were historically used in some cultures to frighten disobedient children. In… … Wikipedia
bugbear — UK [ˈbʌɡˌbeə(r)] / US [ˈbʌɡˌber] noun [countable] Word forms bugbear : singular bugbear plural bugbears something that keeps annoying or worrying you Traffic congestion is still the biggest bugbear for motorists … English dictionary
Bugbear — Bugaboo Bug a*boo , Bugbear Bug bear , n. [See {Bug}.] Something frightful, as a specter; anything imaginary that causes needless fright; something used to excite needless fear; also, something really dangerous, or an imaginary monster, used to… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
bugbear — [[t]bʌ̱gbeə(r)[/t]] bugbears N COUNT Something or someone that is your bugbear worries or upsets you. Money is my biggest bugbear … English dictionary
bugbear — bug|bear [ˈbʌgbeə US ber] n [Date: 1500 1600; Origin: Probably from bug evil spirit ( BUG1) + BEAR21] something that makes people feel annoyed or worried ▪ Paperwork is our worst bugbear … Dictionary of contemporary English
