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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

2 entries under this word

Cob

Cŏb, n.

noun

n. [A-S. cop or copp, head, top, D. kop, Ger. kopf and kuppe, Gr. κυβή, W. cob, top, tuft, cop, copa, top, summit.]

  1. The top or head; hence, that which is at the top, or is large, round, &c. Gifford.
  2. A person in some way at the top, or distinguished, as for influence or wealth; a rich, covetous person. “The rich cobs of this world.” Udal.

He was heard to say these words after the great abjuration. . . . That the greatest cobs were yet behind. Fox. All cobbing country chuffs, which make their bellies and their bags their god, are called rich cobs. Nash.

  1. A lump or piece of any thing, usually of a somewhat large size, as of coal, ore, or stone.
  2. A spider; perhaps from its shape, as being round like a head. Richardson.
  3. A herring. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
  4. A punishment consisting of blows inflicted on the buttocks with a strap. Wright.
  5. Clay mixed with straw, used for walls, &c.

The poor cottager contenteth himself with cob for his walls and thatch for his covering. Carew.

  1. A short-legged and stout variety of horse, with no pretensions to blood, but capable of carrying a great weight at a good pace;—much used for the saddle, especially by elderly and heavy persons. [Eng.]
  2. [It. gabbiano.] A sea-mew or gull.
  3. A Spanish coin formerly current in Ireland. Halliwell.
  4. The spike or receptacle on which the grains of maize grow in rows. [U. S.]

Cŏb, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. 1. To strike or pull by the ears or hair. 2. (Mining.) To break into large pieces with hammers, as ore, in order to separate it from the refuse part. 3. (Naut.) To punish by striking on the buttocks with a strap.