dewclaw

[ doo-klaw, dyoo- ]

/ ˈduˌklɔ, ˈdyu- /

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noun

a functionless claw of some dogs, not reaching the ground in walking.

an analogous false hoof of deer, hogs, etc.

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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. 2022

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