Pronunciation: [ɡˈɒbɪts] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "gobbets" is not straightforward, as it contains some tricky phonemes. The first two letters, "go," are pronounced like the word "go," but followed by the "bb" sound, which is represented by the letter combination "bb." The "e" before the final "t" is pronounced like the sound in "pet" or "set." The final "s" is pronounced like the letter "s." So, the IPA transcription would be /ˈɡɑbəts/.
Gobbets refer to small, often irregularly shaped and fragmented pieces or scraps. The term is derived from the Middle English word "gobet," which means a small lump or piece. Gobbets can encompass a variety of objects or substances, such as food, meat, cloth, or any material that typically forms into fragments or chunks. They are usually small enough to be held in one's hand or easily manipulated.
In a culinary context, gobbets often refer to small portions or bite-sized pieces of meat, especially leftover or cooked meat that is cut or torn into irregular shapes. These portions are commonly used in dishes like stews, soups, or salads, where the small pieces can be easily distributed and enjoyed.
Outside of culinary usage, gobbets can also refer to fragments of text or literary passages extracted from a larger work. These textual gobbets are commonly used in literary or historical analysis, where specific sections or quotes are singled out for closer examination or discussion within the context of the larger work.
Overall, gobbets describe small, often irregularly shaped pieces, whether they are edible portions of food, scraps of material, or fragments of text. The term is versatile and can be applied to various objects or substances that share the common characteristic of being small and broken or cut into pieces.
The word "gobbets" derives from the Old French word "gobelet", meaning "a little mouthful" or "a morsel". It is derived from the verb "gobe", which means "to swallow". This Old French term was adopted into Middle English as "gobbet" with a similar meaning of "a small piece of food" or "a mouthful". Over time, the spelling evolved to "gobbets", and it is still used today to refer to small portions or fragments of something, particularly with regards to literature or historical texts.
