bugaboo

2 definitions found

bugaboo - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  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, or an imaginary
     monster, used to frighten children, etc. "Bugaboos to fright
     ye." --Lloyd.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           But, to the world no bugbear is so great
           As want of figure and a small estate.    --Pope.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           The bugaboo of the liberals is the church pray. --S. B.
                                                    Griffin.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           The great bugaboo of the birds is the owl. --J.
                                                    Burroughs.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     2. a source of concern; as, the old bugaboo of inflation
        still bothers them.
        [WordNet 1.5]
  
     Syn: Hobgoblin; goblin; specter; ogre; scarecrow; bogeyman;
          boogeyman; booger.
          [1913 Webster]

bugaboo - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  bugaboo
      n 1: an imaginary monster used to frighten children [syn:
           bogeyman, bugbear, bugaboo, boogeyman, booger]
      2: a source of concern; "the old bugaboo of inflation still
         bothers them"