hobgoblin

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a small, grotesque supernatural creature in folklore, often mischievous or frightening

   The tale described a hobgoblin that tormented travelers after dark.

2. 2
   noun

   a person, idea, or thing that causes exaggerated fear or persistent worry

   For the anxious committee, any change became a hobgoblin.

Formed from hob ("sprite or elf"), itself associated with Hob as a familiar form of Robin, + goblin. The folklore creature later supplied a figurative word for an object of dread or a troubling obsession.

Topics