I. ˈbäb verb
( bobbed ; bob·bing )
Etymology: Middle English boben
Date: 13th century
transitive verb
1. : to strike with a quick light blow : rap
2. : to move up and down in a short quick movement
bob the head
3. : to polish with a bob : buff
intransitive verb
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
bob for apples
II. noun
Date: circa 1550
1.
a. : a short quick down-and-up motion
b. Scottish : any of several folk dances
2. obsolete : a blow or tap especially 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
III. transitive verb
( bobbed ; bob·bing )
Etymology: Middle English bobben, from Old French bober
Date: 14th century
1. obsolete : deceive , cheat
2. obsolete : to take by fraud : filch
IV. noun
Etymology: Middle English bobbe
Date: 14th century
1.
a.
(1) : bunch , cluster
(2) Scottish : nosegay
b. : a knob, knot, twist, or curl especially 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
bits and bob s
V. transitive verb
( bobbed ; bob·bing )
Date: 1675
1. : to cut shorter : crop
bob a horse's tail
2. : to cut (hair) in the style of a bob
VI. noun
( plural bob )
Etymology: perhaps from the name Bob
Date: 1789
slang British : shilling
VII. noun
Date: 1856
: bobsled