Lhasa apso

noun

Lha·​sa ap·​so ˈlä-sə-ˈäp-(ˌ)sō  ˈla-sə-ˈap- 

plural Lhasa apsos

often capitalized A

: any of a Tibetan breed of small dogs that have a dense coat of long hard straight hair, a heavy fall over the eyes, heavy whiskers and beard, and a well-feathered tail curled over the back

called also Lhasa

Illustration of Lhasa apso

Word History

Etymology

Lhasa, Tibet + Tibetan (Lhasa dialect) ə̄bsɔɔ̀ (written Tibetan absog) small hairy dog, Lhasa apso

First Known Use

1935, in the meaning defined above