dog
[ dawg, dog ]
/ dɔg, dɒg /
noun
a domesticated canid, Canis familiaris, bred in many varieties.
any carnivore of the dog family Canidae, having prominent canine teeth and, in the wild state, a long and slender muzzle, a deep-chested muscular body, a bushy tail, and large, erect ears.
Compare canid.
the male of such an animal.
any of various animals resembling a dog.
a despicable man or youth.
Informal.
a fellow in general: a lucky dog.
dogs, Slang.
feet.
Slang.
- something worthless or of extremely poor quality: That used car you bought is a dog.
- an utter failure; flop: Critics say his new play is a dog.
Slang.
an ugly, boring, or crude person.
Slang.
hot dog.
(initial capital letter) Astronomy.
either of two constellations, Canis Major or Canis Minor.
Machinery.
- any of various mechanical devices, as for gripping or holding something.
- a projection on a moving part for moving steadily or for tripping another part with which it engages.
Also called gripper, nipper. Metalworking.
a device on a drawbench for drawing the work through the die.
a cramp binding together two timbers.
an iron bar driven into a stone or timber to provide a means of lifting it.
an andiron; firedog.
Meteorology.
a sundog or fogdog.
a word formerly used in communications to represent the letter D.
verb (used with object), dogged, dog·ging.
to follow or track like a dog, especially with hostile intent; hound.
to drive or chase with a dog or dogs.
Machinery.
to fasten with dogs.
Idioms for dog
- to shirk one's responsibility; loaf on the job.
- to retreat, flee, renege, etc.: a sponsor who dogged it when needed most.
dog it, Informal.
go to the dogs, Informal.
to deteriorate; degenerate morally or physically: This neighborhood is going to the dogs.
lead a dog's life,
to have an unhappy or harassed existence: He complains that he led a dog's life in the army.
let sleeping dogs lie,
to refrain from action that would alter an existing situation for fear of causing greater problems or complexities.
put on the dog, Informal.
to assume an attitude of wealth or importance; put on airs.
throw to the dogs.
throw(def 57).
Origin of dog
before 1050; Middle English
dogge, Old English
docga
OTHER WORDS FROM dog
dog·less, adjective dog·like, adjectiveWords nearby dog
doest,
doeth,
dof,
doff,
doffer,
dog,
dog and bone,
dog and pony show,
dog ape,
dog biscuit,
dog box
Example sentences from the Web for dog
Indeed, although he works here in the old town, he lives in the new part of the city where he walks his dog in the morning.
As the agents apprehended and detained the man, the dog remained unleashed, and ran down the hill to where Marino was sleeping.
I am not a fan of spoilers, if it were up to me, I would lie like a dog about every upcoming issue.
As Johnson generously observes, “If any dog had a right to mark its new territory, it was Churchill.”
A former classical violinist, orchestral player, and music teacher, she lives in London with her husband, three children, and dog.
These Female Contemporaries Weren’t Afraid of Virginia Woolf |Louisa Treger |November 20, 2014 |DAILY BEASTIt would be a sad alternative—as both the mule and the dog were looked upon more in the light of companions than slaves.
The Boy Hunters |Captain Mayne ReidDropping his rifle, he approached his dog with outstretched arms.
The Whelps of the Wolf |George MarshThe dog on the roof barked viciously, then all the dogs in the village barked.
The Red Cross in Peace and War |Clara BartonThe dog was nuzzling Carl's hand, and Carl had almost forgotten his fear that the devil might appear.
The Trail of the Hawk |Sinclair LewisThe dog stopped at the outside edge of the hole, and barked as loudly as he could.
Six Little Bunkers at Grandma Bell's |Laura Lee Hope
British Dictionary definitions for dog
dog
/ (dɒɡ) /
noun
- a domesticated canine mammal, Canis familiaris, occurring in many breeds that show a great variety in size and form
- (as modifier)dog biscuit
- any other carnivore of the family Canidae, such as the dingo and coyote
- (as modifier)the dog family Related adjective: canine
- the male of animals of the dog family
- (as modifier)a dog fox
(modifier)
- spurious, inferior, or uselessdog Latin
- (in combination)dogberry
a mechanical device for gripping or holding, esp one of the axial slots by which gear wheels or shafts are engaged to transmit torque
informal
a fellow; chap
you lucky dog
informal
a man or boy regarded as unpleasant, contemptible, or wretched
US informal
a male friend: used as a term of address
slang
an unattractive or boring girl or woman
US and Canadian informal
something unsatisfactory or inferior
short for firedog
a dog's chance
no chance at all
a dog's dinner or a dog's breakfast informal
something that is messy or bungled
a dog's life
a wretched existence
dog eat dog
ruthless competition or self-interest
like a dog's dinner informal
dressed smartly or ostentatiously
put on the dog US and Canadian informal
to behave or dress in an ostentatious or showy manner
verb dogs, dogging or dogged (tr)
to pursue or follow after like a dog
to trouble; plague
to be dogged by ill health
to chase with a dog or dogs
to grip, hold, or secure by a mechanical device
adverb
(usually in combination)
thoroughly; utterly
dog-tired
See also
dogs
Derived forms of dog
doglike, adjectiveWord Origin for dog
Old English
docga, of obscure origin
Idioms and Phrases with dog
dog
In addition to the idioms beginning with dog
- dog days
- dog eat dog
- dog in the manger
- dog it
also see:
- coon's (dog's) age
- every dog has its day
- go to pot (the dogs)
- hair of the dog
- hot dog
- in the doghouse
- let sleeping dogs lie
- put on the dog
- rain cats and dogs
- see a man about a dog
- shaggy dog story
- sick as a dog
- tail wagging the dog
- teach an old dog new tricks
- throw to the wolves (dogs)
- top banana (dog)