Defn: 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.
BUGBANE
Bug"bane`, n. (Bot.)
Defn: A perennial white-flowered herb of the order Ranunculaceæ and genus Cimiciguga; bugwort. There are several species.
BUGBEAR
Bug"bear`, n.
Defn: Same as Bugaboo.
— a.
Defn: Causing needless fright. Locke.
BUGBEAR
Bug"bear`, v. t.
Defn: To alarm with idle phantoms.
BUGFISH
Bug"fish`, n. (Zoöl.)