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dobby

 - 2 dictionary results

dob⋅by

  [dob-ee]
Use dobby in a Sentence
–noun, plural -bies.
1. British Dialect. a fatuous person; fool.
2. Textiles.
a. an attachment on a loom, used in weaving small patterns.
b. Also called dobby weave. a small geometric or floral pattern produced by this attachment.
c. a fabric having such a pattern.
Origin:
1685–95; akin to dial. dovie stupid, imbecile, deriv. of dove to doze, dote, OE dofian, dobian; c. G toben to rage; cf. OE dobende decrepit
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To dobby
dob·by   (dŏb'ē)   
n.   pl. dob·bies

  1. A mechanical part in a loom that controls the harnesses so as to permit weaving of small geometric figures.

    1. A small geometric figure woven into fabric.

    2. A fabric with such figures.


[Perhaps from Dobbie, diminutive of Dob, alteration of Rob, nickname for Robert.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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