Molossian

British  

/ məˈlɒsɪən /

noun

1. a breed of dog native to Epirus in NW Greece, used in classical antiquity as a hunting dog and guard dog

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Etymology

Origin of Molossian

from Molossia , a district of Epirus

Example Sentences

Pyrrhus himself, who had just heard of the death of his son, in an agony of grief now ordered the Molossian cavalry to charge them.

From Plutarch's Lives, Volume II by Stewart, Aubrey

His nose was retroussé, with nostrils widely spread, like those of a pure-bred bull dog; and his eyes were not very unlike the optics of the fierce Molossian.

From The Guerilla Chief And other Tales by Reid, Mayne

The forlorn condition of Themistocles excited the compassion of the wife of the Molossian king, who placed her child in his arms, and bade him seat himself on the hearth as a suppliant.

From A Smaller history of Greece From the earliest times to the Roman conquest by Smith, William, Sir

On a large grazing estate it is rare for the Molossian to be silent.

From The Flag of Distress A Story of the South Sea by Reid, Mayne

The incident of Coriolanus taking refuge with the Volscian king, who, according to Plutarch, was his bitter enemy, curiously resembles the appeal of Themistocles to the Molossian king Admetus.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 4 "Coquelin" to "Costume" by Various