hobby

hobby
    n 1: an auxiliary activity [syn: {avocation}, {by-line},
         {hobby}, {pursuit}, {sideline}, {spare-time activity}]
    2: a child's plaything consisting of an imitation horse mounted
       on rockers; the child straddles it and pretends to ride [syn:
       {hobby}, {hobbyhorse}, {rocking horse}]
    3: small Old World falcon formerly trained and flown at small
       birds [syn: {hobby}, {Falco subbuteo}]
    

Hobby \Hob"by\, n.; pl. {Hobbies}. [OE. hobi; cf. OF. hobe,
   hob['e], F. hobereau a hobby, a species of falcon. OF. hober
   to move, stir. Cf. {Hobby} a horse.] (Zool.)
   A small, strong-winged European falcon ({Falco subbuteo}),
   formerly trained for hawking. Hobby
    

Hobby \Hob"by\, Hobbyhorse \Hob"by*horse`\, n. [OE. hobin a nag,
   OF. hobin hobby; cf. hober to stir, move; prob. of German or
   Scand. origin; cf. Dan. hoppe a mare, dial. Sw. hoppa; perh.
   akin to E. hop to jump.]
   1. A strong, active horse, of a middle size, said to have
      been originally from Ireland; an ambling nag. --Johnson.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. A stick, often with the head or figure of a horse, on
      which boys make believe to ride. [ Usually under the form
      {hobbyhorse}.]
      [1913 Webster]

   3. A subject or plan upon which one is constantly setting
      off; a favorite and ever-recurring theme of discourse,
      thought, or effort; that which occupies one's attention
      unduly, or to the weariness of others; a ruling passion.
      [Usually under the form {hobby}.]
      [1913 Webster]

            Not one of them has any hobbyhorse, to use the
            phrase of Sterne.                     --Macaulay.
      [1913 Webster]