dog
- a domesticated canid, Canis familiaris, bred in many varieties.
- any carnivore of the dog family Canidae, having prominent canine teeth and, in the wild state, a long and slender muzzle, a deep-chested muscular body, a bushy tail, and large, erect ears.Compare canid.
- the male of such an animal.
- any of various animals resembling a dog.
- a despicable man or youth.
- Informal. a fellow in general: a lucky dog.
- dogs, Slang. feet.
- Slang.
- something worthless or of extremely poor quality: That used car you bought is a dog.
- an utter failure; flop: Critics say his new play is a dog.
- Slang. an ugly, boring, or crude person.
- Slang. hot dog.
- (initial capital letter) Astronomy. either of two constellations, Canis Major or Canis Minor.
- Machinery.
- any of various mechanical devices, as for gripping or holding something.
- a projection on a moving part for moving steadily or for tripping another part with which it engages.
- Also called gripper, nipper. Metalworking. a device on a drawbench for drawing the work through the die.
- a cramp binding together two timbers.
- an iron bar driven into a stone or timber to provide a means of lifting it.
- an andiron; firedog.
- Meteorology. a sundog or fogdog.
- a word formerly used in communications to represent the letter D.
- to follow or track like a dog, especially with hostile intent; hound.
- to drive or chase with a dog or dogs.
- Machinery. to fasten with dogs.
- dog it, Informal.
- to shirk one's responsibility; loaf on the job.
- to retreat, flee, renege, etc.: a sponsor who dogged it when needed most.
- go to the dogs, Informal. to deteriorate; degenerate morally or physically: This neighborhood is going to the dogs.
- lead a dog's life, to have an unhappy or harassed existence: He complains that he led a dog's life in the army.
- let sleeping dogs lie, to refrain from action that would alter an existing situation for fear of causing greater problems or complexities.
- put on the dog, Informal. to assume an attitude of wealth or importance; put on airs.
- throw to the dogs. throw(def 57).
Origin of dog
Related Words
puppypupshadowhoundplaguehauntcurstraytykebitchmuttmongreldoggypoochpursuetracktrailtailtagtroubleExamples from the Web for dog
Contemporary Examples
Indeed, although he works here in the old town, he lives in the new part of the city where he walks his dog in the morning.
Hangover Rx: “The old ‘hair of the dog’ is pretty much just a myth,” says White.
As the agents apprehended and detained the man, the dog remained unleashed, and ran down the hill to where Marino was sleeping.
I am not a fan of spoilers, if it were up to me, I would lie like a dog about every upcoming issue.
As Johnson generously observes, “If any dog had a right to mark its new territory, it was Churchill.”
Historical Examples
Eudora blushed deeply, and busily caressed the dog with her foot.
PhilotheaLydia Maria Child
And oh, sir,” added Stephen, “may we crave a drop of water for our dog?
The Armourer's PrenticesCharlotte M. Yonge
And throwing himself on the grass, he hid his face against the dog and sobbed.
The Armourer's PrenticesCharlotte M. Yonge
In this he resembled a dog who barks when a stranger approaches.
Ancient ManHendrik Willem van Loon
When it is cold, the dog finds a spot in front of the stove.
Ancient ManHendrik Willem van Loon
dog
- a domesticated canine mammal, Canis familiaris, occurring in many breeds that show a great variety in size and form
- (as modifier)dog biscuit
- any other carnivore of the family Canidae, such as the dingo and coyote
- (as modifier)the dog family Related adjective: canine
- the male of animals of the dog family
- (as modifier)a dog fox
- (modifier)
- spurious, inferior, or uselessdog Latin
- (in combination)dogberry
- a mechanical device for gripping or holding, esp one of the axial slots by which gear wheels or shafts are engaged to transmit torque
- informal a fellow; chapyou lucky dog
- informal a man or boy regarded as unpleasant, contemptible, or wretched
- US informal a male friend: used as a term of address
- slang an unattractive or boring girl or woman
- US and Canadian informal something unsatisfactory or inferior
- short for firedog
- any of various atmospheric phenomenaSee fogdog, seadog, sundog
- a dog's chance no chance at all
- a dog's dinner or a dog's breakfast informal something that is messy or bungled
- a dog's life a wretched existence
- dog eat dog ruthless competition or self-interest
- like a dog's dinner informal dressed smartly or ostentatiously
- put on the dog US and Canadian informal to behave or dress in an ostentatious or showy manner
- to pursue or follow after like a dog
- to trouble; plagueto be dogged by ill health
- to chase with a dog or dogs
- to grip, hold, or secure by a mechanical device
- (usually in combination) thoroughly; utterlydog-tired
Word Origin
Word Origin and History for dog
n.
Old English docga, a late, rare word used of a powerful breed of canine. It forced out Old English hund (the general Germanic and Indo-European word; see canine) by 16c. and subsequently was picked up in many continental languages (e.g. French dogue (16c.), Danish dogge), but the origin remains one of the great mysteries of English etymology.
Many expressions -- a dog's life (c.1600), go to the dogs (1610s), etc. -- reflect earlier hard use of the animals as hunting accessories, not pampered pets. In ancient times, "the dog" was the worst throw in dice (attested in Greek, Latin, and Sanskrit, where the word for "the lucky player" was literally "the dog-killer"), which plausibly explains the Greek word for "danger," kindynas, which appears to be "play the dog."
Slang meaning "ugly woman" is from 1930s; that of "sexually aggressive man" is from 1950s. Adjectival phrase dog-eat-dog attested by 1850s. Dog tag is from 1918. To dog-ear a book is from 1650s; dog-eared in extended sense of "worn, unkempt" is from 1894.
Notwithstanding, as a dog hath a day, so may I perchance have time to declare it in deeds. [Princess Elizabeth, 1550]
It is ill wakyng of a sleapyng dogge. [Heywood, 1562]
Phrase put on the dog "get dressed up" (1934) may look back to the stiff stand-up shirt collars that in the 1890s were the height of male fashion (and were known as dog-collars at least from 1883), with reference to collars worn by dogs. The common Spanish word for "dog," perro, also is a mystery word of unknown origin, perhaps from Iberian. A group of Slavic "dog" words (Old Church Slavonic pisu, Polish pies, Serbo-Croatian pas) likewise are of unknown origin.
v.
"to track like a dog," 1510s, see dog (n.). Related: Dogged; dogging.
Idioms and Phrases with dog
dog
In addition to the idioms beginning with dog
- dog days
- dog eat dog
- dog in the manger
- dog it
also see:
- coon's (dog's) age
- every dog has its day
- go to pot (the dogs)
- hair of the dog
- hot dog
- in the doghouse
- let sleeping dogs lie
- put on the dog
- rain cats and dogs
- see a man about a dog
- shaggy dog story
- sick as a dog
- tail wagging the dog
- teach an old dog new tricks
- throw to the wolves (dogs)
- top banana (dog)