1. Dobby the House-Elf: This is the most common association with the word "Dobby". He is a beloved character from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. Dobby is a free house-elf, known for his loyalty to Harry Potter and his love of socks.
2. Dobby loom: A dobby loom is a type of textile loom that uses a special mechanism called a "dobby" to create intricate patterns in fabrics. The dobby allows for the weaving of complex designs that would be difficult or impossible to achieve with a traditional loom.
3. Dobby (surname): Dobby is also a surname, though less common than the other meanings.
So, to understand what "dobby" means, you need context. If someone is talking about a magical creature, they are likely referring to Dobby the House-Elf. If they are discussing weaving techniques, they probably mean a dobby loom. And if it's a surname, well, that's a different story!