dewclaw

[ doo-klaw, dyoo- ]

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

  2. an analogous false hoof of deer, hogs, etc.

Origin of dewclaw

1
1570–80; dew + claw; cf. dewlap

Other words from dewclaw

  • dewclawed, adjective

Words Nearby dewclaw

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British Dictionary definitions for dewclaw

dewclaw

/ (ˈdjuːˌklɔː) /


noun
  1. a nonfunctional claw in dogs; the rudimentary first digit

  2. 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