hound

¹hound

noun \ˈhau̇nd\

Definition of HOUND

1

a : dog

b : a dog of any of numerous hunting breeds including both scent hounds (as the bloodhound and beagle) and sight hounds (as the greyhound and Afghan hound)

2

: a mean or despicable person

3

: dogfish

4

: a person who pursues like a hound; especially : one who avidly seeks or collects something <autograph hounds>

Examples of HOUND

1. <in the yard an old hound greeted us with a single bark>
2. <a camera hound even before the baby arrived, he's now become obsessive>

Origin of HOUND

Middle English, from Old English hund; akin to Old High German hunt dog, Latin canis, Greek kyōn

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to HOUND

Synonyms

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

Antonyms

nonfan

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

nonadmirer; belittler, carper, critic, detractor

Rhymes with HOUND

bound, crowned, found, ground, mound, pound, round, sound, stound, swound, wound

²hound

transitive verb

Definition of HOUND

1

: to pursue with or as if with hounds

2

: to drive or affect by persistent harassing

— hound·er noun

Examples of HOUND

1. He is being hounded by the press.
2. They hounded me with questions.
3. They hounded me for my autograph.
4. hound a politician out of office

First Known Use of HOUND

1528

Related to HOUND

Synonyms

bird-dog, chase, course, dog, follow, 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

See Synonym Discussion at bait

hound

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Classification of hunting dogs that is more general than setter, retriever, pointer, or other sporting dog categories. Most hounds were bred and trained to track by scent or sight. Scent hounds (e.g., bloodhound, dachshund) are trained to scent in the air or on the ground. Sight hounds (e.g., saluki, Afghan hound) were developed to chase game by sight over long distances. Hounds such as beagles, basset hounds, and foxhounds run in packs; Afghan hounds, borzois, salukis, and others run alone.