Hob (hearth)

In a kitchen the hob is a projection, shelf, grate or bench for holding food or utensils at the back or side of a hearth (fireplace) to keep them warm, or an internal chimney-corner. In modern British English usage, the word refers to a cooktop or hotplate, as distinguished from an oven. [ [http://www.bartleby.com/61/63/H0226300.html The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.] ]

Fuggerei.

cooktop is called a "hob" in modern British English.
* [http://ah.bfn.org/a/del/641/dr/source/16.html Fireplace hobs on both sides of the grate basket at the Ansley Wilcox Mansion.]

Etymology

The word is a noun meaning approximately "holder", derived from the Old English verb "habban" "to have, hold". [ [http://www.bartleby.com/81/8326.html E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.] ] The word "hub" "support of a disk or wheel" is apparently from the same source. [ [http://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/hub Merriam Webster Online] ]

References