dewclaw
Americannoun
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a functionless claw of some dogs, not reaching the ground in walking.
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an analogous false hoof of deer, hogs, etc.
noun
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a nonfunctional claw in dogs; the rudimentary first digit
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an analogous rudimentary hoof in deer, goats, etc
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of dewclaw
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The leaders, unlike those of other societies, did not carry flat sticks, but had reddened dewclaw rattles, the dewclaws being attached to the handle of the rawhide sphere.
From Societies of the Kiowas by Lowie, Robert H
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
