Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Bugbear \Bug"bear`\, n.
   Same as {Bugaboo}. -- a. Causing needless fright. --Locke.

Bugbear \Bug"bear`\, v. t.
   To alarm with idle phantoms.

Bugaboo \Bug`a*boo"\, Bugbear \Bug"bear`\, n. [See {Bug}.]
   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 : WordNet®

bugbear
     n 1: an imaginary monster used to frighten children [syn: {bogeyman},
           {bugaboo}, {boogeyman}, {booger}]
     2: an object of dread or apprehension; "Germany was always a
        bugbear for France"; "A foolish consistency is the
        hobgoblin of little minds"--Ralph Waldo Emerson [syn: {hobgoblin}]