bogle

A farmer places a bogle in the field to scare away the birds.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A mythical creature or ghost: "bogle" refers to a supernatural being, often a goblin, spectre, or hobgoblin, believed to haunt places and cause mischief.
   • A scarecrow: In some dialects, "bogle" can also mean a figure set up to frighten birds away from crops.

Usage Examples

• (A mythical creature or ghost.)
• (A scarecrow.)

Advanced Usage

• "to play the bogle": an idiomatic expression meaning to act as a frightening or mischievous presence.
  • He would play the bogle at Halloween parties, scaring the children. (He acted as a ghostly figure for amusement.)

Variants and Related Words

• Boggart (n): a variant of "bogle," especially in Northern English folklore, referring to a mischievous household spirit.

  • The boggart was blamed for the missing keys and creaking doors. (A household ghost causing trouble.)

• Bogleism (n): a rare term meaning belief in or practice of superstitions involving bogles.

  • The village's bogleism included leaving offerings at the old crossroads. (Superstitious practices related to bogles.)

Synonyms

• Goblin: a small, grotesque, mischievous creature in folklore.
• Spectre: a ghostly apparition.
• Scarecrow: a figure used to frighten birds (specifically for the second meaning).

Phrasal Verbs

• None directly associated with "bogle"; the word is primarily used as a noun.

Related Idioms

• "to see bogles": an old Scottish idiom meaning to see imaginary terrors or to be excessively fearful.
  • Don't see bogles in every shadow — it's just the wind. (Don't imagine frightening things where none exist.)