folklore A small grotesque supernatural creature that makes trouble for human beings.

synonyms: goblin, hob.

Roget 860: fear, timidity, diffidence, want of confidence; apprehensiveness, fearfulness etc. adj.; solicitude, anxiety, care, apprehension, misgiving; feeze [U.S.]; mistrust etc. (doubt) 485; suspicion, qualm; hesitation etc. (irresolution) 605.    nervousness, restlessness etc. adj.; inquietude, disquietude, worry, concern; batophobia^†; heartquake^†; flutter, trepidation, fear and trembling, perturbation, tremor, quivering, shaking, trembling, throbbing heart, palpitation, ague fit, cold sweat; abject fear etc. (cowardice) 862; mortal funk, heartsinking^†, despondency; despair etc. 859.    fright; affright, affrightment^†; boof alarm [U.S.], dread, awe, terror, horror, dismay, consternation, panic, scare, stampede (of horses). intimidation, terrorism, reign of terror.    [Object of fear] bug bear, bugaboo; scarecrow; hobgoblin etc. (demon) 980; nightmare, Gorgon, mormo^†, ogre, Hurlothrumbo^†, raw head and bloody bones, fee-faw-fum, bete noire [Fr.], enfant terrible [Fr.].    alarmist etc. (coward) 862.    ... show more

Dutch: aardmannetje, kobold, hobgoblin
Polish: goblin

An object of dread or apprehension:
— A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.

synonym: bugbear.