First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1hobble
verb hob·ble \ˈhä-bəl\
: to walk with difficulty because of injury or weakness
: to slow the movement, progress, or action of (someone or something)
: to keep (an animal) from straying or wandering by tying two legs together
hob·bledhob·bling \-b(ə-)liŋ\
Full Definition of HOBBLE
intransitive verb
: to move along unsteadily or with difficulty; especially : to limp along
transitive verb
1
: to cause to limp : make lame : cripple
2
[probably alteration of hopple to hobble] a : to fasten together the legs of (as a horse) to prevent straying : fetter b : to place under handicap : hamper, impede
— hob·bler \-b(ə-)lər\ noun
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Origin of HOBBLE
Middle English hoblen; akin to Middle Dutch hobbelen to turn, roll
Related to HOBBLE
2hobble
noun
Definition of HOBBLE
1
: a hobbling movement
2
archaic : an awkward situation
3
: something used to hobble an animal
First Known Use of HOBBLE
1726
HOBBLE Defined for Kids
1hobble
verb hob·ble \ˈhä-bəl\
hob·bledhob·bling
Definition of HOBBLE for Kids
: to walk slowly and with difficulty
2hobble
noun
Definition of HOBBLE for Kids
: a slow and difficult way of walking
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