n. (pl. -ies)
1. a stupid or childish person.
2 a small gannet of the genus Sula.
Phrases and idioms:
booby-hatch esp. US sl. a mental hospital. booby prize a prize given to the least successful competitor in any contest. booby trap
1. a trap intended as a practical joke, e.g. an object placed on top of a door ajar.
2 Mil. an apparently harmless explosive device intended to kill or injure anyone touching it. booby-trap v.tr. place a booby trap or traps in or on.
Etymology: prob. f. Sp. bobo (in both senses) f. L balbus stammering