hob

Noun

hob (plural hobs)

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.

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3. (Britain, Australia, New Zealand) The top cooking surface on a cooker. It typically comprises several cooking elements (often four), also known as 'rings'.
   • 1913, Lawrence, Sons and Lovers, chapter 2

     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.

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Verb

hob (third-person singular simple present hobs, present participle hobbing, simple past and past participle hobbed)

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

Noun

hob (plural hobs)

1. (obsolete) A fairy; a sprite; an elf; a bogey.
   • Beaumont and Fletcher

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

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

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Declension