hob

noun

1. A kind of cutting tool, used to cut the teeth of a gear.
2. (historical)The flat projection or iron shelf at the side of a fire grate, where things are put to be kept warm.

   “They went into a dingy room lined with books and littered with papers, where there was a blazing fire. A kettle steamed upon the hob, and in the midst of the wreck of papers a table shone, with plenty of wine upon it, and brandy, and rum, and sugar, and lemons.”

3. (Commonwealth, Ireland, UK)The top cooking surface on a cooker. It typically comprises several cooking elements (often four), usually called rings.

   “And the first sound in the house was the bang, bang of the poker against the raker, as Morel smashed the remainder of the coal to make the kettle, which was filled and left on the hob, finally boil.”

4. A rounded peg used as a target in several games, especially in quoits.
5. A male ferret.
6. The hub of a wheel.

   “August 31 1776, George Washington, letter to the President of Congress the wheels of the carriages sinking up to the hobs rendered it impossible for our whole force to drag them.”

7. (obsolete)A fairy; a sprite; an elf; a bogey.

   “From elves, hobs, and fairies, […] Defend us, good Heaven!”

8. (obsolete)A countryman; a rustic or yokel.

   “More fitter for the Country Hobs.”

verb

1. (transitive)To create (a gear) by cutting with a hob.
2. (intransitive)To engage in the process of cutting gears with a hob.

name

1. (obsolete)A diminutive of the male given names Robert or Robin.
2. (archaic)A nickname for Robin Goodfellow, Puck; (later) the devil
3. A surname originating as a patronymic.