I. ˈō(ˌ)bō noun
( -s )
Etymology: Italian, from French hautbois, from Middle French — more at hautbois
1. : a nontransposing orchestral woodwind instrument having a conical body with a slightly flaring end, a double reed mouthpiece, a range from B-flat below to third G above middle C, and a nasal and penetrating tone quality and forming the highest and chief member of a family of double-reed instruments — compare bassoon , english horn
2. : an organ reed stop that gives a tone resembling that of an oboe
3. : a chanter in a bagpipe
[s]oboe.jpg[/s]
II.
Usage: usually capitalized
— a communications code word for the letter o
III. noun
( -s )
Usage: usually capitalized
Etymology: probably so called from its being a key word for the letter O
: a radar blind-bombing and navigation system in which one airplane flies a circular course while two ground stations measure the distance to a radar beacon in the plane