See Also: hobbyhorse(dictionary)
Tour(tourism)
tour(1)(dictionary)
tour(2)(dictionary)
package tour(dictionary)
tour 2, verb(dictionary)
tour de force(dictionary)
tour of duty(dictionary)
tour operator(dictionary)
Tour operator(tourism)

tour(1) (iou) and hobbyhorse (oh)


tour(1) (iou)



tour noun. ME.
[Old & mod. French tour, earlier tor, torn: see TURN noun.]
One's turn to do something. Now usu. spec., a spell of work or duty on military or diplomatic service, on an oil rig, etc.; the period of time to be spent at a particular post (also tour of duty). ME.
New Yorker Schwarzkopf returned to Vietnam for a second tour.
a. A circular movement, a revolution. rare. ME-E18.
b. In a cotillion, a circular movement by the dancers. In Ballet, a turn by a solo dancer, usu. en l'air. M19.
a. A course to which one may turn, an expedient. M16-L17.
b. A turn of phrase; a manner of expressing or presenting something; an aspect given to a matter. L17-M18.
A journey or period of Travel from place to place, esp. a holiday comprising visits to a number of places on a route through an area. Also, a series of performances, matches, etc., at different places on a route. M17.
conducted tour, grand tour, guided tour, package tour, etc. on tour (esp. of a musical or dramatic group, Sports team, etc.) touring.
Spin His solo tour, across four continents, will feature fifteen musicians. R. Gittings On a walking tour..through the Lake District.
b. A round, circuit, or survey of; an excursion, an outing, a ramble. M17.
R. Rendell He..made a careful tour of the house, checking..everything.
c. Motor Racing etc. A circuit of a racetrack, a lap. M20.
A crescent of false hair worn around the head. obsolete exc. Hist. L17.
A trill, variation, or change in the song of a trained canary. E20.
Comb.: tour operator a Travel agent specializing in package holidays.

hobbyhorse (oh)



[Date: 1500-1600; Origin: hobby 'small horse' (14-19 centuries) (probably from Hobbin, a man's name, from Robin) + horse]
a subject that someone has strong opinions about and that they talk about too much
ˇˇI'm afraid safe driving isn't Jaqui's only hobbyhorse.
be on your hobbyhorse
ˇˇVicky was on her hobbyhorse again.
an old-fashioned toy made of a horse's head on a stick