hobgoblin

• Nom désignant une créature espiègle ou grotesque du folklore, souvent considérée comme une sorte de lutin ou de démon. Ce terme peut aussi désigner une personne ou une chose agaçante, ou une source de soucis inutiles.

A noun referring to a mischievous or grotesque creature from folklore, often considered a type of goblin or imp.

1. C1formal

   A small, ugly, and mischievous creature from folklore, often considered a type of goblin.

   Lutin malicieux

   • The old tale warned of a hobgoblin that would hide children's shoes.
   • In the story, a hobgoblin played tricks on the villagers.
   • The forest was said to be haunted by a mischievous hobgoblin.

   Synonymesbrownieelfgoblingremlinimppixiepucksprite

2. Imaginary source of fearC2formalamerican

   An imaginary or trivial cause of fear or worry, often used in the phrase 'hobgoblin of little minds'.

   source imaginaire de peur

   • Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote that 'a foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds'.
   • He dismissed the criticism as a hobgoblin of the opposition.
   • The politician called the scandal a hobgoblin invented by the media.

   Synonymesbogeybogeymanbugaboobugbear