1688, "disorderly part of the population, rabble," slang shortening of mobile, mobility "common people, populace, rabble" (1676), from L. mobile vulgus "fickle common people" (1600), from mobile, neut. of mobilis "fickle, movable, mobile," from movere "to move" (see move). In Australia and N.Z., used without disparagement for "a crowd." Meaning "gang of criminals working together" is from 1839, originally of thieves or pick-pockets; Amer.Eng. sense of "organized crime in general" is from 1927. The verb meaning "to attack in a mob" is attested from 1709. Mobster is first attested 1917. Mob scene "crowded place" first recorded 1922. Mobocracy "mob rule" is attested from 1754.
Mob\, n. [L. mobile vulgus, the movable common people. See Mobile, n.]1. The lower classes of a community; the populace, or the lowest part of it. A cluster of mob were making themselves merry with their betters. --Addison. 2. Hence: A throng; a rabble; esp., an unlawful or riotous assembly; a disorderly crowd. The mob of gentlemen who wrote with ease. --Pope. Had every Athenian citizen been a Socrates, every Athenian assembly would still have been a mob. --Madison. Confused by brainless mobs. --Tennyson. Mob law, law administered by the mob; lynch law. Swell mob, well dressed thieves and swindlers, regarded collectively. [Slang] --Dickens.
Move\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Moved; p. pr. & vb. n. Moving.] [OE. moven, OF. moveir, F. mouvoir, L. movere; cf. Gr. ? to change, exchange, go in or out, quit, Skr. m[=i]v, p. p. m[=u]ta, to move, push. Cf. Emotion, Mew to molt, Mob, Mutable, Mutiny.]1. To cause to change place or posture in any manner; to set in motion; to carry, convey, draw, or push from one place to another; to impel; to stir; as, the wind moves a vessel; the horse moves a carriage. 2. (Chess, Checkers, etc.) To transfer (a piece or man) from one space or position to another, according to the rules of the game; as, to move a king. 3. To excite to action by the presentation of motives; to rouse by representation, persuasion, or appeal; to influence. Minds desirous of revenge were not moved with gold. --Knolles. No female arts his mind could move. --Dryden. 4. To arouse the feelings or passions of; especially, to excite to tenderness or compassion; to touch pathetically; to excite, as an emotion. --Shak. When he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them. --Matt. ix. 36. [The use of images] in orations and poetry is to move pity or terror. --Felton. 5. To propose; to recommend; specifically, to propose formally for consideration and determination, in a deliberative assembly; to submit, as a resolution to be adopted; as, to move to adjourn. Let me but move one question to your daughter. --Shak. They are to be blamed alike who move and who decline war upon particular respects. --Hayward. 6. To apply to, as for aid. [Obs.] --Shak. Syn: To stir; agitate; trouble; affect; persuade; influence; actuate; impel; rouse; prompt; instigate; incite; induce; incline; propose; offer.
Swell\, a. Having the characteristics of a person of rank and importance; showy; dandified; distinguished; as, a swell person; a swell neighborhood. [Slang] Swell mob. See under Mob. [Slang]
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Audio Help [mob] Pronunciation Key noun, adjective, verb, mobbed, mob·bing. 
