dog

¹dog

noun, often attributive \ˈdȯg, ˈdäg\

Definition of DOG

1

a : canid; especially : a highly variable domestic mammal (Canis familiaris) closely related to the gray wolf

b : a male dog; also : a male usually carnivorous mammal

2

a : a worthless or contemptible person

b : fellow, chap <a lazy dog> <you lucky dog>

3

a : any of various usually simple mechanical devices for holding, gripping, or fastening that consist of a spike, bar, or hook

b : andiron

4

: uncharacteristic or affected stylishness or dignity <put on the dog>

5

capitalized : either of the constellations Canis Major or Canis Minor

6

plural : feet

7

plural : ruin <going to the dogs>

8

: one inferior of its kind <the movie was a dog>: as

a : an investment not worth its price

b : an undesirable piece of merchandise

9

: an unattractive person; especially : an unattractive girl or woman

10

: hot dog 1

— dog·like \ˈdȯg-ˌlīk\ adjective

Examples of DOG

1. That dog barks all day long.
2. children playing with the family dog
3. wild dogs such as the Australian dingo
4. They say she's a real dog.
5. Her latest book turned out to be a real dog.
6. That was a dog of a movie.

Illustration of DOG

Origin of DOG

Middle English, from Old English docga

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to DOG

Synonyms

canine, doggy (or doggie), hound, pooch, tyke (also tike)

Related Words

cur, mongrel, mutt; bitch; lapdog, pup, puppy, puppy dog, whelp; bandog, bird dog, coonhound, courser, gundog, hunter, sheepdog, sled dog, watchdog, wolf dog, wolfhound; guide dog, police dog, working dog

Near Antonyms

hero, heroine, idol, role model; gentleman, lady; angel, saint

Other Mammals Terms

dormouse, dugong, gibbon, grimalkin, sable, stoat, ungulate, vole

²dog

adjective

Definition of DOG

1

: canine

2

: spurious; especially : unlike that used by native speakers or writers <dog Latin> <dog French>

First Known Use of DOG

14th century

³dog

transitive verb

dogged \ˈdȯgd, ˈdägd\ dog·ging

Definition of DOG

1

a : to hunt, track, or follow like a hound <dogged her every move>

b : to worry as if by pursuit with dogs : plague <dogged by his past failures>

c : to bother or pester persistently <dogged him about his grades>

2

: to fasten with a dog

— dog it

: to fail to do one's best : goldbrick

Examples of DOG

1. He dogged her every move.
2. Creditors dogged him until he finally paid his bills.

First Known Use of DOG

1519

Related to DOG

Synonyms

bird-dog, chase, course, follow, hound, pursue, run, shadow, tag, tail, trace, track, trail

Antonyms

guide, lead, pilot

Related Words

accompany, chaperone (or chaperon), escort; hunt, search (for), seek; eye, observe, watch

Near Antonyms

head

⁴dog

adverb

Definition of DOG

: extremely, utterly <dog-tired>

First Known Use of DOG

1526

dog

noun , often attrib \ˈdȯg\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of DOG

: a highly variable carnivorous domesticated mammal of the genus Canis (C. familiaris) closely related to the common wolf (Canis lupus)/art/med/dog.htm; broadly : any member of the family Canidae

dog

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Domesticated mammal (Canis lupus familiaris), of the family Canidae (order Carnivora). Domestic dogs seem to have descended from the wolf or a wolflike ancestor. Dogs were among the first animals to be domesticated, and domestication seems to have begun in various parts of the world at roughly the same time. Selective breeding by humans has resulted in myriad domestic breeds that vary widely in size (from the tiny Chihuahua to the huge mastiff), physical form (e.g., the short-legged dachshund and the flat-faced bulldog), coat texture and length (e.g., the sleek Doberman pinscher and the long-haired Afghan hound), and behavioral patterns (e.g., sporting dogs, toy dogs, and working dogs). Most kennel clubs recognize only a portion of the approximately 400 breeds of dog.