Dictionary.com

dewclaw

[ doo-klaw, dyoo- ]
/ ˈduˌklɔ, ˈdyu- /

noun

a functionless claw of some dogs, not reaching the ground in walking.
an analogous false hoof of deer, hogs, etc.

QUIZZES

THINK YOU’VE GOT A HANDLE ON THIS US STATE NICKNAME QUIZ?

Did you ever collect all those state quarters? Put them to good use on this quiz about curious state monikers and the facts around them.
Question 1 of 8
Mississippi’s nickname comes from the magnificent trees that grow there. What is it?
The Sunflower State
The Evergreen State
The Magnolia State
The Mockingbird State
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of dewclaw

1570–80; dew + claw; cf. dewlap

OTHER WORDS FROM dewclaw

dewclawed, adjective

Words nearby dewclaw

Dewar flask, Dewar vessel, dewater, dewberry, dew cell, dewclaw, dewdrop, De Wet, Dewey, Dewey decimal classification, Dewey Decimal System
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

British Dictionary definitions for dewclaw

dewclaw
/ (ˈdjuːˌklɔː) /

noun

a nonfunctional claw in dogs; the rudimentary first digit
an analogous rudimentary hoof in deer, goats, etc

Derived forms of dewclaw

dewclawed, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012