dobby
nounEtymology From Dobby. Sense “household ghost” from Dob, variant of Rob.
1
Business, Manufacturing, Textiles, Weaving A device in some looms that allows the weaving of small geometric patterns.
2
Business, Manufacturing, Textiles The patterns so woven, or the fabric containing the patterns.
3
Human sciences, Mysticism, Mythology, Philosophy, Sciences An evil or mischievous fairy or ghost sometimes said to haunt a building or household.
- He understood Greek, Latin, and Hebrew; and, therefore, according to the apprehension, and in the phrase of his brother Wilfred, needed not to care “for ghaist or bar-ghaist, devil or dobbie.”1817 December 31 (indicated as 1818), [Walter Scott], Rob Roy. […], volume I, Edinburgh: […] James Ballantyne and Co. for Archibald Constable and Co. […]; London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, →OCLC:
- 'Twas no livin' woman, for she couldn't rise that height above the water, as they well knew when they came to think; and knew it was a dobby they saw; and ye may be sure they didn't spare prayer and blessin', and went on their course straight before the wind; […].1871, Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu, The Haunted Baronet:
4
Archaic A dotard.
5
Games The children's game of tag.
Chiefly Nottinghamshire