Hoast, hōst, n. (prov.) a cough.—v.i. to cough. [Ice. hóste; Dut. hoest.]
Hoastman, hōst′man, n. a member of an old merchant guild in Newcastle, with charge of coal-shipping, &c. [Host, stranger, guest.]
Hoatzin, hō-at′sin, n. a remarkable South American bird, the same as the Touraco (q.v.).—Also Hoact′zin, Hoa′zin. [S. Amer.]
Hoax, hōks, n. a deceptive trick: a practical joke.—v.t. to deceive: to play a trick upon for sport, or without malice.—ns. Hoaxee′; Hoax′er; Hoax′ing. [Corr. of hocus. See Hocus-pocus.]
Hob, hob, n. the projecting nave of a wheel: a projection on the side of a fireplace, on which anything may be laid to keep hot: a game in which coins are placed on the end of a short stick at which stones are thrown, those that fall head up going to the thrower—also the round stick used in this game: a hardened threaded steel mandrel used in forming the cutting ends of screw-chasing tools, &c.—n. Hob′nail, a nail with a thick, strong head, used in horse-shoes, &c.: a clownish fellow.—v.t. to furnish with hobnails: to trample upon with hobnailed shoes.—adj. Hob′nailed. [Cf. Hub.]
Hob, hob, n. a clownish fellow: a rustic: a fairy.—n. Hob′binoll, a rustic.—adj. Hob′bish, clownish.—n. Hobgob′lin, a mischievous fairy: a frightful apparition.—Play hob, to make confusion. [A corr. of Rob for Robin, Robert.]
Hob-a-nob, Hob-and-nob. Same as Hobnob.
Hobbism, hob′izm, n. the doctrine of Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679), that morality is an institution of society.—n. Hobb′ist, a follower of Hobbes.
Hobble, hob′l, v.i. to walk with a limp: to walk awkwardly: to move irregularly.—v.t. to fasten loosely the legs of: to hamper: to perplex.—n. an awkward limping gait: a difficulty, a scrape: anything used to hamper the feet of an animal, a clog or fetter.—ns. Hobb′ler, one who hobbles: an unlicensed pilot, casual labourer in docks, &c.: a man who tows a canal-boat with a rope; Hobb′ling.—adv. Hobb′lingly. [Cf. Dut. hobbelen, hobben, to toss.]
Hobbledehoy, hob′l-de-hoi′, n. an awkward youth, a stripling, neither man nor boy.—adj. Hobbledehoy′ish.—n. Hobbledehoy′ism. [Prob. conn. with hobble, referring to awkward gait.]