hobgoblin

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun (folklore) a small grotesque supernatural creature that makes trouble for human beings
  2. noun an object of dread or apprehension; ; --Ralph Waldo Emerson

Etymology

From hob (“elf”, from Hob, a variant of Rob, short for Robin Goodfellow, an elf in Germanic folklore) + goblin.

In classic literature

Synonyms

goblin, hob

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