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bugbear

Syllabification: (bug·bear)
Pronunciation: /ˈbəgˌbe(ə)r/

Translate bugbear | into Italian
Definition of bugbear

noun

  • a cause of obsessive fear, irritation, or loathing.
  • archaic an imaginary being invoked to frighten children, typically a sort of hobgoblin supposed to devour them.

Origin:

late 16th century: probably from obsolete bug 'bogey' (of unknown origin) + bear2

bugbear in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of bugbear in the British & World English dictionary
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