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REFERENCE

hobby

n.
US //ˈhɑbi// UK //hˈɒbi// hob·by
  1. 1 leisure activity (n.)
    A1 Beginner

    an activity that you enjoy doing when you are not working.

    a regular activity or interest pursued for pleasure or relaxation during one's leisure time.

    Example

    My main hobby is gardening, but I also enjoy cooking for my friends.

    Example

    While many people view stamp collecting as a solitary hobby, it actually fosters a global community of enthusiasts who trade rare specimens.
  2. 2 small falcon (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Science

    a type of small, fast bird of prey that looks like a hawk.

    any of several species of small, agile falcons, particularly the Eurasian hobby (Falco subbuteo).

    Example

    We saw a hobby diving through the air to catch a large insect.

    Example

    The Eurasian hobby is renowned for its aerial agility, often capturing dragonflies and small birds while in full flight.
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  1. 3 favourite topic (n.)
    C1 Advanced Literary British English

    a subject that someone loves to talk about or focus on all the time.

    a favourite subject or obsession that a person frequently returns to in conversation; often used in the phrase 'hobby horse'.

    Example

    Don't mention the new tax laws, or he will start on his favourite hobby.

    Example

    The professor's latest hobby is the reform of the local curriculum, a topic he introduces into every faculty meeting regardless of the agenda.
Etymology 1

Shortened from hobby-horse, from Middle English hoby, hobyn, hobin (“small horse, pony”), from Old French hobi, haubi, haubby, hobin ("a nag, hobby"; > Modern French aubin, Italian ubino), of Germanic origin: from Old French hober, ober (“to stir, move”), from Old Dutch hobben (“to toss, move up and down”); or from North Germanic origin related to Danish hoppe (“a mare”), Old Swedish hoppa (“a young mare”), North Frisian hoppe (“horse”); both ultimately from Proto-Germanic huppōną (“to hop”), from Proto-Indo-European *kewb- (“to bend; a bend, joint”). More at hop, hobble. The meaning of hobby-horse shifted from "small horse, pony" to "child's toy riding horse" to "favorite pastime or avocation" with the connecting notion being "activity that doesn't go anywhere". Possibly originally from a proper name for a horse, a diminutive of Robert or Robin (compare dobbin).

Etymology 2

From Middle English hoby, hobeye, from Old French hobé, hobei, hobet, from Medieval Latin hopētus, diminutive of harpe.

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