Bob (�), n. [An onomatopoetic word, expressing quick, jerky motion; OE. bob bunch, bobben to strike, mock, deceive. Cf. Prov. Eng. bob, n., a ball, an engine beam, bunch, blast, trick, taunt, scoff; as, a v., to dance, to courtesy, to disappoint, OF. bober to mock.] 1. Anything that hangs so as to play loosely, or with a short abrupt motion, as at the end of a string; a pendant; as, the bob at the end of a kite's tail.
In jewels dressed and at each ear a bob.
Dryden.
2. A knot of worms, or of rags, on a string, used in angling, as for eels; formerly, a worm suitable for bait.
Or yellow bobs, turned up before the plow,
Are chiefest baits, with cork and lead enow.
Lauson.
3. A small piece of cork or light wood attached to a fishing line to show when a fish is biting; a float.
4. The ball or heavy part of a pendulum; also, the ball or weight at the end of a plumb line.
5. A small wheel, made of leather, with rounded edges, used in polishing spoons, etc.
6. A short, jerking motion; act of bobbing; as, a bob of the head.
7. (Steam Engine) A working beam.
8. A knot or short curl of hair; also, a bob wig.
A plain brown bob he wore.
Shenstone.
9. A peculiar mode of ringing changes on bells.
10. The refrain of a song.
To bed, to bed, will be the bob of the song.
L'Estrange.
11. A blow; a shake or jog; a rap, as with the fist.
12. A jeer or flout; a sharp jest or taunt; a trick.
He that a fool doth very wisely hit,
Doth very foolishly, although he smart,
Not to seem senseless of the bob.
Shak.
13. A shilling. Dickens.