Hypertext Webster Gateway: "bugbear"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Bugbear \Bug"bear`\, n.
Same as {Bugaboo}. -- a. Causing needless fright. --Locke.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Bugbear \Bug"bear`\, v. t.
To alarm with idle phantoms.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Bugaboo \Bug`a*boo"\, Bugbear \Bug"bear`\, n. [See {Bug}.]
Something frightful, as a specter; anything imaginary that
causes needless fright; something used to excite needless
fear; also, something really dangerous, used to frighten
children, etc. ``Bugaboos to fright ye.'' --Lloyd.
But, to the world no bugbear is so great As want of
figure and a small estate. --Pope.
The bugaboo of the liberals is the church pray. --S. B.
Griffin.
The great bugaboo of the birds is the owl. --J.
Burroughs.
Syn: Hobgoblin; goblin; specter; ogre; scarecrow.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
bugbear
n : an imaginary monster used to frighten children [syn: {bogeyman},
{bugaboo}, {boogeyman}, {booger}]
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