n. [ See 2d Hob, and Goblin. ] A frightful goblin; an imp; a bugaboo; also, a name formerly given to the household spirit, Robin Goodfellow. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]
(n) an object of dread or apprehension; ; --Ralph Waldo Emerson, Syn. hobgoblin, Example:Germany was always a bugbear for France; A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds