fob - What does it mean?
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Definition of 'fob'English
Etymology 1
* High German
Noun
( en-noun)
A little pocket near the waistline of a pair of trousers or in a waistcoat or vest to hold a pocketwatch; a watch pocket.
- 1711 Jonathan Swift , Windsor Prophecy :
:* With a saint at his chin and a seal at his fob .
A short chain or ribbon to connect such a pocket to the watch.
A small ornament attached to such a chain. (See Usage Notes below)
A hand-held remote control device used to lock/unlock motor cars etc.
Usage notes
* The Jonathan Swift quote indicates that the word "fob" at that time period did not specifically apply to an object attached to the chain or watch.
* A "fob" attached directly to the watch serves as an ornament and or as a grip for more easily pulling the watch from the watch pocket.
* A fob attached to a drooping chain would be mainly an ornament.
Etymology 2
(etyl)
Alternative forms
* fub
Verb
( fobb)
(archaic) To cheat, to trick, to take in, to impose upon someone.
- 1604 William Shakespeare , Othello, iv, 2:
:* I think it is scurvy, and begin to find myself fobbed in it.
(archaic) To beat; to maul.
Derived terms
* to fob off
References
* 1897 Universal Dictionary of the English Language , Robert Hunter and Charles Morris, eds., v 2 p 2146.
Anagrams
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