BUGBEAR

bugbear, hobgoblin

(noun) an object of dread or apprehension; “Germany was always a bugbear for France”; “A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds”--Ralph Waldo Emerson

bogeyman, bugbear, bugaboo, boogeyman, booger

(noun) an imaginary monster used to frighten children

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

bugbear (plural bugbears)

An ongoing problem; a recurring obstacle or adversity.

A source of dread; resentment; or irritation. [from late 16th c.]

Synonym: pet peeve

(archaic) An imaginary creature meant to inspire fear in children.

Synonym: goblin

Verb

bugbear (third-person singular simple present bugbears, present participle bugbearing, simple past and past participle bugbeared)

(transitive) To alarm with idle phantoms.

Anagrams

• Burbage, rubbage

Source: Wiktionary

Bug`a*boo", Bug"bear`, n. Etym: [See Bug.]

Definition: Something frightful, as a specter; anything imaginary that causes needless fright; something used to excite needless fear; also, something really dangerous, used to frighten children, etc. "Bugaboos to fright ye." Lloyd. But, to the world no bugbear is so great As want of figure and a small estate. Pope. The bugaboo of the liberals is the church pray. S. B. Griffin. The great bugaboo of the birds is the owl. J. Burroughs.

Syn.

– Hobgoblin; goblin; specter; ogre; scarecrow.

Bug"bear`, n.

Definition: Same as Bugaboo.

– a.

Definition: Causing needless fright. Locke.

Bug"bear`, v. t.

Definition: To alarm with idle phantoms.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition