I. ˈhäbē, -bi noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English hoby, hobyn, perhaps from Hobbin, nickname of Robert or Robin
1. or hobby horse archaic : a small or medium-sized light horse especially of Irish origin having a gentle ambling pace
2. archaic : hobbyhorse 1, 3
3.
a. : hobbyhorse 4a
b. : a specialized pursuit (as stamp collecting, painting, woodworking, gardening) that is outside one's regular occupation and that one finds particularly interesting and enjoys doing usually in a nonprofessional way as a source of leisure-time relaxation ; broadly : any favorite pursuit or interest
4. archaic : dandy horse
II. intransitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
: to follow a hobby : have a hobby
hobbied in photography for many years
III. noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English hoby, modification of Middle French hobé, from Old French, alteration of hobel, perhaps from hobeler to skirmish, probably from Middle Dutch hobbelen to turn, roll — more at hobble
: a small falcon ( Falco subbuteo ) widely distributed in the Old World and formerly trained for hawking and flown at small birds (as larks)