- bob
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I. verb
(bobbed; bobbing)
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; bobbing) 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 bobs> V. transitive verb (bobbed; bobbing) 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
New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.