noun

• (historical) The flat projection or iron shelf at the side of a fire grate, where things are put to be kept warm.
  "They went into a dingy room lined with books and littered with papers, where there was a blazing fire. A kettle steamed upon the hob, and in the midst of the wreck of papers a table shone, with plenty of wine upon it, and brandy, and rum, and sugar, and lemons."
• (UK, Ireland, Commonwealth) The top cooking surface on a cooker; a cooktop. It typically comprises several cooking elements (often four), also known as 'rings'.
  "And the first sound in the house was the bang, bang of the poker against the raker, as Morel smashed the remainder of the coal to make the kettle, which was filled and left on the hob, finally boil."

verb

• (transitive) To create (a gear) by cutting with a hob.
• (intransitive) To engage in the process of cutting gears with a hob.

noun

• (obsolete) A fairy; a sprite; an elf; a bogey.
  "From elves, hobs, and fairies, […] Defend us, good Heaven!"
• (obsolete) A countryman; a rustic or yokel.
  "More fitter for the Country Hobs."

name

• (obsolete) A nickname for Robin or Robert
• (archaic) A nickname for Robin Goodfellow, Puck; (later) the devil