Bobbin

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Bobbin \Bob"bin\, n. [F. bobine; of uncertain origin; cf. L.
     bombus a humming, from the noise it makes, or Ir. & Gael.
     baban tassel, or E. bob.]
     1. A small pin, or cylinder, formerly of bone, now most
        commonly of wood, used in the making of pillow lace. Each
        thread is wound on a separate bobbin which hangs down


        holding the thread at a slight tension.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. A spool or reel of various material and construction, with
        a head at one or both ends, and sometimes with a hole
        bored through its length by which it may be placed on a
        spindle or pivot. It is used to hold yarn or thread, as in
        spinning or warping machines, looms, sewing machines, etc.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. The little rounded piece of wood, at the end of a latch
        string, which is pulled to raise the latch.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     4. (Haberdashery) A fine cord or narrow braid.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     5. (Elec.) A cylindrical or spool-shaped coil or insulated
        wire, usually containing a core of soft iron which becomes
        magnetic when the wire is traversed by an electrical
        current.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     {Bobbin and fly frame}, a roving machine.
  
     {Bobbin lace}, lace made on a pillow with bobbins; pillow
        lace.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  bobbin
       n : a winder around which thread or tape or film or other
           flexible materials can be wound [syn: {spool}, {reel}]