cobby

Adjective

cobby (comparative cobbier, superlative cobbiest)

1. Stocky.
   • In a variety that is desirous of an overall cobby outline, the neck should be short and full without a tendency to hollow between back skull and shoulder.1978, John Stewart Cross, The Gloster Fancy Canary, page 9
   • The hamster shall be cobby, well-conditioned in body, with large head, broad skull, and short in face, blunt-nosed, avoiding all rat-like appearance.1981, Mervin F. Roberts, The T.F.H. Book of Hamsters, page 54
2. Compact with short bushy leaves.
   • […] and there are more of them, so presenting a leafier and more cobby bush.1950, Gardeners' Chronicle, Horticultural Trade Journal, page 32
   • This material had been made up with success from a fairly uniform, bright and compact or cobby grade of thick-skinned barley,1915, International Brewers' Journal - Volume 51, page 357
3. Stout; hearty; lively.
   • So I may middle life enjoy, And jaunt about, my lovely toy; We'll spend our time so cobby, Now thus, be in our hobby, And so enjoy the fashion1847, John Wright, “A Young Esquire's Arrival At Manhood”, in Anacreontic Poems, On Religious, Moral, and Pastorial Subjects, page 191
   • Each one should be master now, of his own nose, But I pray you don't thus, take too strong a dose; -- A circumstance here allow me to mention, The subject of which is all good intention: The thing is so cobby, and just to the point, Of a nose, with the snuff, well nigh out of joint ---1849, John Wright, “The Snuff subject”, in Second Work of Poems, Entitled A Gem for Every-one, page 71
4. Obstinate; headstrong.
   • Nothing really serious but the Owens boys was cobby and so was Niles . Didn't take much for them to tangle horns1993, Gordon D. Shirreffs, Shadow Valley/Fort Vengeance, page 23
   • If the rest of your outfit's as cobby as you and this pair, I hope the lot of you […]2000, Thomas Wakefield Blackburn, Patron, page 164
5. Arrogant.
6. Starchy and tough like a corncob rather than sweet and juicy like the kernels of corn.
   • The aroma and flavor resembled that of cornmeal and tasted starchy and "cobby."1945, Georgia Experiment Station, Cornell University, Bulletin
   • Another Methodist minister who had trouble with a parishioner by the good old Cape Cod name of Cobb left this record: Cobb, dismissed; too cobby; all cob and no corn."1955, Scott Corbett, Cape Cod's Way: An Informal History, page 169
7. Poorly made; rough and unfinished.
   • Once a group of design engineers finishes with a prototype, it is often very cobby. it needs to be refined and detailed.1975 February, “Harley-Davidson SX250”, in Cycle World Magazine, volume 14, number 3, page 75
   • Early cars were cobby in appearance, but our recently produced test car looked terrific overall, and there's more dedication to come.1981, Car and Driver - Volume 27, page 5
8. Forming hard clumps.
   • Gemson Series (clay loam, very cobby clay loam, stony, gravelly loam, Stony loam)1971, Virdien L. Harrison, Financial Management Research in Farming in the United States, page 298
   • SOIL fractured sandstone bedrock 20 stony fine sandy loam, very cobby fine sandy loam 13-20 very cobby loamy fine sand 0-13 (inches)1979, David W. James, Eugene H. Cronin, John E. Keith, Diagnostic Soil Testing for Nitrogen Availability, page 58
9. Uneven or lumpy.
   • I sat on the bed — jumped up — and found a less cobby place.1957, Philip Wylie, The Innocent Ambassadors, page 169
   • one face is cobby gothick with a big quatrefoil on each side of the arch, and the other is cobby classical with alcoves.1974, Barbara Jones, Follies & Grottoes, page 286