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hobgoblin Definition

hob·gob·lin (häb′gäb′lin)

noun

  1. an elf; goblin
  2. a frightening apparition; bogy; bugbear
  3. Robin Goodfellow; Puck

Etymology: hob, sense + goblin

hobgoblin Synonyms

hobgoblin

n.

imp, ghost, ogre; see bugbear, fairy 1.

hobgoblin Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • mind: You know the old saying -- rigid consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.
hobgoblin Quotes

   A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines.With consistencya great soul has simply nothing to do.

—Emerson, RalphWaldo

Browse dictionary entries near hobgoblin

  1. ‹ hobbyhorse
  2. ‹ hobby
  3. ‹ hobbledehoy
  4. ‹ hobblebush
  5. ‹ hobble skirt
  6. ‹ hobble
  7. ‹ Hobbism
  8. ‹ Hobbes
  9. ‹ Hobbema
  10. ‹ Hobart
  1. hobnail ›
  2. hobnob ›
  3. hobo ›
  4. Hobson ›
  5. Hobson's choice ›
  6. hock ›
  7. hockey ›
  8. Hockham, George ›
  9. Hockney ›
  10. hockshop ›