lob´ber

lob¹ «lob», noun, verb, lobbed, lob|bing.

–n.

1. a ball, especially a tennis ball, hit in a high arc, usually to the back of the opponent's court.

2. an artillery shell, rock, or other object shot or thrown in a high arc.

3. a slow underhand throw in cricket.

╂[< verb]

–v.t.

1. to hit (a ball, especially a tennis ball) in a high arc, usually to the back of an opponent's court.

2. to throw (an artillery shell, a rock, or other object) in a high arc: »

mainland shore batteries occasionally lob shells at Quemoy (New York Times).

3. to throw (a cricket ball) with a slow underhand movement.

4. to throw heavily or clumsily.

–v.i.

1. to hit a lob, as in tennis.

2. throw a lob, as of an artillery shell or a rock.

3. to move heavily or clumsily.

╂[(earlier) move clumsily; probably related to lubber (Cf. ↑lubber)]

–lob´ber, noun.

lob² «lob», noun.

1. = lugworm. (Cf. ↑lugworm)

2. Dialect. a country bumpkin; lout.

╂[compare Danish lobbes clown, bumpkin]