fob en · NOUN · etymology 1
Pronunciation
- fŏb
- (Southern-England) audio
- /fɒb/
Etymology
From Low German Fobke (“pocket”) or High Prussian Fuppe (“pocket”), probably related to Swedish ficka (“pocket”), Old Danish fikke, Alemannic German figge, Middle Dutch vicke, all from Proto-Germanic *fikkja, of uncertain ultimate origin: * possibly from Proto-Indo-European *pewǵ- (“to assail, strike”), related to *fukkōną (“to strike”); * or of Romance origin, from Latin figere (“to fix, fasten”), possibly via an old form of Italian ficcare. Also see Ficke.
Meanings
-
A little pocket near the waistline of a pair of trousers or in a waistcoat or vest to hold money or valuables, especially a pocket watch.
With a saint at his chin and a seal at his fob.
1711, Jonathan Swift, Windsor Prophecy:As soon as they had confined my arms they left me, and remembering the bank-notes which I had in my fob, I began to fear they had come to the knowledge of this circumstance […].
1792, Thomas Holcroft, Anna St. Ives, volume VII, Fragment:
- A short chain or ribbon to connect such a pocket to the watch.
-
A small ornament attached to such a chain.
fob seal
- (qualifier:modern usage) A hand-held electronic device that can be used as a remote control or as a key to unlock motor cars, doors, etc., and thus, modern car keys.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| fobs | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Deriveds
Translations (34)
ru cepóčka dlja karmánnyx časóv (chain or ribbon) · cs řetízek kapesních hodinek (chain or ribbon) · fi kellonvitja (chain or ribbon) · es control automotor (remote control for locking and unlocking a vehicle) · bg ланец (chain or ribbon) · fi kellonperät (chain or ribbon) · da kæde (chain or ribbon) · da bånd (chain or ribbon) · pl brelok (remote control for locking and unlocking a vehicle) · es control remoto automotriz (remote control for locking and unlocking a vehicle) · de Funkschlüssel (remote control for locking and unlocking a vehicle) · sv klockkedja (chain or ribbon) · sv bilnyckel (remote control for locking and unlocking a vehicle) · el καδένα (chain or ribbon) · sv fjärrnyckel (remote control for locking and unlocking a vehicle) · pl łańcuszek (chain or ribbon) · da urkæde (chain or ribbon) · pl brelok (ornament) · fr châtelaine (chain or ribbon) · ru брело́к (ornament) · ro breloc (ornament) · pt berloque (ornament) · ca leontina (chain or ribbon) · be бірулька (ornament) · fr bip (remote control for locking and unlocking a vehicle) · es leontina (chain or ribbon) · nb urkjede (chain or ribbon) · sv berlock (ornament) · de Schlüsselanhänger (ornament) · pdt Uakjäd (chain or ribbon) · ru brelók distanciónnovo upravlénija (remote control for locking and unlocking a vehicle) · de Uhrkette (chain or ribbon) · fi kauko-ohjain (remote control for locking and unlocking a vehicle) · pt corrente (chain or ribbon)