Word origins - 2ed. J. Ayto. 2005.
Bugbear — Bug bear , n. Same as {Bugaboo}. a. Causing needless fright. Locke. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Bugbear — Bug bear , v. t. To alarm with idle phantoms. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
bugbear — 1580s, a sort of demon in the form of a bear that eats small children, also object of dread (whether real or not), from BUG (Cf. bug) (n.) + BEAR (Cf. bear) (n.) … Etymology dictionary
bugbear — bête noire, *abomination, anathema … New Dictionary of Synonyms
bugbear — ► NOUN ▪ a cause of anxiety or irritation. ORIGIN probably from the obsolete bug evil spirit + BEAR(Cf. ↑bear) … English terms dictionary
bugbear — [bug′ber΄] n. [ BUG2 + BEAR2] 1. an imaginary hobgoblin or terror used to frighten children into good conduct 2. anything causing seemingly needless or excessive fear or anxiety … English World dictionary
Bugbear — A bugbear, also called a boogerbear , is a legendary creature comparable to the bogeyman, bogey, bugaboo, hobgoblin and other creatures of folklore, all of which were historically used in some cultures to frighten disobedient children. In… … Wikipedia
bugbear — UK [ˈbʌɡˌbeə(r)] / US [ˈbʌɡˌber] noun [countable] Word forms bugbear : singular bugbear plural bugbears something that keeps annoying or worrying you Traffic congestion is still the biggest bugbear for motorists … English dictionary
Bugbear — 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… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
bugbear — [[t]bʌ̱gbeə(r)[/t]] bugbears N COUNT Something or someone that is your bugbear worries or upsets you. Money is my biggest bugbear … English dictionary
bugbear — bug|bear [ˈbʌgbeə US ber] n [Date: 1500 1600; Origin: Probably from bug evil spirit ( BUG1) + BEAR21] something that makes people feel annoyed or worried ▪ Paperwork is our worst bugbear … Dictionary of contemporary English
