whelp

¹whelp

noun \ˈhwelp, ˈwelp\

Definition of WHELP

1

: any of the young of various carnivorous mammals and especially of the dog

2

: a young boy or girl

Examples of WHELP

1. <playtime's over, it's time to gather up the whelps and head home>

Origin of WHELP

Middle English, from Old English hwelp; akin to Old High German hwelf whelp

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to WHELP

Synonyms

bairn [chiefly Scottish], bambino, bud, chap [Southern & Midland], chick, cub, juvenile, kid, kiddie (also kiddy), kiddo, moppet, sprat, sprout, squirt, child, youngling, youngster, youth

Antonyms

adult, grown-up

Related Words

adolescent, minor; kindergartner (also kindergartener), preschooler, rug rat [slang], schoolboy, schoolchild, schoolgirl, schoolkid; babe, baby, bantling, infant, neonate, nestling, newborn, toddler, tot, tyke (also tike), weanling; brat, devil, hellion, imp, jackanapes, mischief, monkey, rapscallion, rascal, rogue, urchin, whippersnapper; cherub; preteen, preteen-ager, subteen, teen, teenager, teener, teenybopper, tween; lad, nipper, shaver, stripling, tad; bobby-soxer, hoyden, tomboy

Near Antonyms

middle-ager; ancient, elder, golden-ager, oldster, old-timer, senior, senior citizen

Other Animal Husbandry Terms

apiary, bantam, calico, girth, hogwash, mast, rut

Rhymes with WHELP

help, kelp, yelp

²whelp

verb

Definition of WHELP

transitive verb

: to give birth to —used of various carnivores and especially the dog

intransitive verb

: to bring forth young

Examples of WHELP

1. The dog whelped in March.

First Known Use of WHELP

13th century

Other Animal Husbandry Terms

apiary, bantam, calico, girth, hogwash, mast, rut