[bob] vb bobbed ; bob.bing [ME boben] vt (13c) 1: to strike with a quick light blow: rap
2: to move up and down in a short quick movement "~ the head"
3: to polish with a bob: buff ~ vi 1 a: to move up and down briefly or repeatedly "a cork bobbed in the water" b: to emerge, arise, or appear suddenly or unexpectedly "the question bobbed up again"
2: to nod or curtsy briefly
3: to try to seize a suspended or floating object with the teeth "~ for apples"
[2]bob n (1550) 1 a: a short quick down-and-up motion b Scot: any of several folk dances
2. obs: a blow or tap esp. with the fist 3 a: a modification of the order in change ringing b: a method of change ringing using a bob
4: a small polishing wheel of solid felt or leather with rounded edges [3]bob vt bobbed ; bob.bing [ME bobben, fr. MF bober] (14c) 1 obs: deceive, cheat
2. obs: to take by fraud: filch [4]bob n [ME bobbe] (14c) 1 a (1): bunch, cluster (2) Scot: nosegay b: a knob, knot, twist, or curl esp. of ribbons, yarn, or hair c: a short haircut on a woman or child
2: float 2a
3: a hanging ball or weight (as on a plumb line)
4: trifle 1 [5]bob vt bobbed ; bob.bing (1675) 1: to cut shorter: crop "~ a horse's tail"
2: to cut (hair) in the style of a bob [6]bob n, pl bob [perh. fr. the name Bob] (1789) slang Brit: shilling [7]bob n (1856): bobsled