Bugaboo
Pronunciation : Bug`a*boo", Bug"bear`
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [See Bug.]
Definition : Defn: Something frightful, as a specter; anything imaginary that causes needless fright; something used to excite needless fear; also, something really dangerous, used to frighten children, etc. "Bugaboos to fright ye." Lloyd. But, to the world no bugbear is so great As want of figure and a small estate. Pope. The bugaboo of the liberals is the church pray. S. B. Griffin. The great bugaboo of the birds is the owl. J. Burroughs.
Syn. -- Hobgoblin; goblin; specter; ogre; scarecrow.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913