noun

dobby

Dobby (noun) means a mechanism on a loom that weaves small geometric patterns into fabric, or the fabric produced this way. Example: “The tablecloth had a subtle dobby weave.”

noun

A mechanism on a loom that weaves small geometric patterns into fabric, or the fabric produced this way.

"The tablecloth had a subtle dobby weave."

In folklore, a mischievous or helpful household spirit.

"Village stories told of a dobby that tidied the kitchen at night."

How to use dobby

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither a weaving technique/fabric with small patterns, or a folkloric house-spirit.

Word forms

dobbies plural

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The tablecloth had a subtle _____ weave.

Etymology

From the name Dobby, itself a variant of Rob, associated with household spirits in British folklore.

Rhymes for dobby

hobby bobby lobby Robby nobby snobby

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Frequently asked questions

What does “dobby” mean?

The word “dobby” means a mechanism on a loom that weaves small geometric patterns into fabric, or the fabric produced this way. In plain terms, either a weaving technique/fabric with small patterns, or a folkloric house-spirit.

How do you use “dobby” in a sentence?

Here is “dobby” used in a sentence: “The tablecloth had a subtle dobby weave.”

What part of speech is “dobby”?

“Dobby” is a noun.

How many meanings does “dobby” have?

“Dobby” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a mechanism on a loom that weaves small geometric patterns into fabric, or the fabric produced this way.