bobbin

Noun

bobbin (plural bobbins)

1. A spool or cylinder around which wire is coiled.
   • Ignition coils using a bobbin molded from high-performance polyester withstand open-circuit bench tests to 70kV.Jan. 8, 2004, Machine Design Magazine, p. 108
2. In a sewing machine, the small spool that holds the lower thread.
   • Wind the bobbin, place it in the machine, and raise the thread.
3. The little rounded piece of wood at the end of a latch string, which is pulled to raise the latch.
   • She went from the linhay and boldly pulled the bobbin of the fuel-house door.1878, Thomas Hardy, The Return of the Native, page 152
   • Put the bobbin and the latch will go up1729, Charles Perrault, Histories, or tales of past times: viz. i. The Little Red Riding-hood, London: Printed for J. Pote, at Sir Isaac New-ton's Head, near Suffolk-street, Charing-cross; and R....
4. (haberdashery) A fine cord or narrow braid.