1. (n.) A strong, active horse, of a middle size, said to have been originally from Ireland; an ambling nag.

2. (n.) A stick, often with the head or figure of a horse, on which boys make believe to ride.

3. (n.) A subject or plan upon which one is constantly setting off; a favorite and ever-recurring theme of discourse, thought, or effort; that which occupies one's attention unduly, or to the weariness of others; a ruling passion.

agate avocation ball baseball bat bat battledore bauble blocks by-line checkerboard chessboard club cockhorse cricket bat cue doll doll carriage gewgaw gimcrack golf club hobby jack-in-the-box jacks jackstones jackstraws kickshaw knickknack marble marionette mig paper doll pastime pick-up sticks pinwheel plaything puppet racket rag doll rocking horse side interest sideline spare-time activity sport steelie taw teetotum top toy toy soldier trinket whim-wham