HOBBY

avocation, by-line, hobby, pursuit, sideline, spare-time activity

(noun) an auxiliary activity

hobby, Falco subbuteo

(noun) small Old World falcon formerly trained and flown at small birds

hobby, hobbyhorse, rocking horse

(noun) a child’s plaything consisting of an imitation horse mounted on rockers; the child straddles it and pretends to ride

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology 1

Noun

hobby (plural hobbies)

An activity that one enjoys doing in one's spare time.

(horses) An extinct breed of horse native to the British Isles, also known as the Irish Hobby

Synonyms

• (activity done for enjoyment in spare time): avocation, pastime; See also hobby

Etymology 2

Noun

hobby (plural hobbies)

Any of four species of small falcons in the genus Falco, especially Falco subbuteo.

Proper noun

Hobby

An English surname.

Source: Wiktionary

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Hob"by, n.; pl. Hobbies. Etym: [OE. hobi; cf. OF. hobe, hobé, F. hobereau a hobby, a species of falcon. OF. hober to move, stir. Cf. Hobby a horse.] (Zoöl.)

Definition: A small, strong-winged European falcon (Falco subbuteo), formerly trained for hawking.

Hob"by, Hob"by*horse`, n. Etym: [OE. hobin a nag, OF. hobin hobby; cf. hober to stir, move; prob. of German or Scand. origin; cf. Dan. hoppe a mare, dial. Sw. hoppa; perh. akin to E. hop to jump.]

1. A strong, active horse, of a middle size, said to have been originally from Ireland; an ambling nag. Johnson.

2. A stick, often with the head or figure of a horse, on which boys make believe to ride. [ Usually under the form hobbyhorse.]

3. A subject or plan upon which one is constantly setting off; a favorite and ever-recurring theme of discourse, thought, or effort; that which occupies one's attention unduly, or to the weariness of others; a ruling passion. [Usually under the form hobby.] Not one of them has any hobbyhorse, to use the phrase of Sterne. Macaulay.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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