bob

bob

bob¹ [bäb]

n.

[ME bobbe, hanging cluster; BOB¹ senses 6 -7, 8, 9, 11 < the v., BOB¹ 10 < BOBSLED] [Brit. Dial.]

1. [Brit. Dial.] a hanging cluster

2. any knoblike hanging weight or pendant [a plumb bob]

3. a short curl or knob of hair

4. a docked tail, as of a horse

5. a short hairstyle for a woman or child, with the hair of relatively even length all around

6. a quick, jerky motion, like that of a cork on water

7.

a) a float on a fishing line

b) clustered bait used on a fishing line

8. a type of Scottish dance

9. a quick curtsy

☆ 10. a bobsled or bob skate

11. Archaic a tap or light blow

12. Archaic a short refrain in a song

vt.

bobbed, bobbing [ME bobben, to knock against; also < bobbe, hanging cluster]

1. to knock against lightly; rap

2. to move, esp. up and down, with short, jerky motions

3. to cut (hair, a tail, etc.) short; dock

vi.

1. to move or act in a bobbing manner; move suddenly or jerkily

2. to curtsy quickly

3. to fish with a bob

4. to try to catch suspended or floating fruit with the teeth: with for

——————

bob up

to come up unexpectedly; appear suddenly

bob² [bäb]

n.

pl. bob [< ? Bob, nickname for ROBERT¹] [Brit. Slang] a shilling