whippet

American  

[whip-it, wip-] / ˈwhɪp ɪt, ˈwɪp- /

noun

1. one of a breed of small, swift dogs resembling a greyhound, used for hunting rabbits and for racing.

2. Also called whippet tank.  a fast, light tank used by the British in World War I.

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whippet British  

/ ˈwɪpɪt /

noun

1. a small slender breed of dog similar to a greyhound in appearance

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Etymology

Origin of whippet

First recorded in 1490–1500; perhaps alteration of phrase whip it move briskly

Explanation

A whippet is a small, sleek dog that resembles a greyhound and can run nearly as fast. Like greyhounds, whippets were originally bred for hunting, and both breeds were also used for competitive racing. Whippets are speedy dogs, and some experts say their name comes from the "move fast" meaning of whip. Others believe the source of whippet is the archaic whappet, "small, yapping dog," although most whippets are actually great apartment dogs that don't do much yapping!

Example Sentences

Ian Vollum, founder of Fat Whippet Yoga, moved his classes online during the pandemic and now says he has no plans to restart in-person sessions.

From BBC • May 14, 2022

A 4-year-old Whippet named Slingshot will be among those trying to break the Guinness World Record for farthest jump by a dock-diving dog — 31 feet — in Orlando, Fla., on Dec. 15.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 14, 2018

No fairytale for the declining hero, as the Rochdale Whippet, Alan Taylor, capitalised on some poor Peter Mellor goalkeeping to secure West Ham’s second Cup.

From The Guardian • May 27, 2017

Whippet thin, he is flailing his arms, punching like a pugilist over the crowd, doing his best bantam rooster impersonation, snapping his hips every moment on stage.

From Forbes • May 21, 2015

The very choicest food is deemed absolutely necessary, in fact a Whippet undergoing preparation for an important race is provided with the most wholesome fare.

From Dogs and All about Them by Leighton, Robert