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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Bugbear \Bug"bear`\, n.
Same as {Bugaboo}. -- a. Causing needless fright. --Locke.
[1913 Webster]


Bugbear \Bug"bear`\, v. t.
To alarm with idle phantoms.
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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.
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But, to the world no bugbear is so great
As want of figure and a small estate. --Pope.
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The bugaboo of the liberals is the church pray. --S. B.
Griffin.
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The great bugaboo of the birds is the owl. --J.
Burroughs.
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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.
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