King Charles spaniel

[ king-chahrlz-span-yuhl ]

/ ˈkɪŋ ˈtʃɑrlz ˈspæn yəl /

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noun

one of a breed of small dogs that resemble the closely related cavalier King Charles spaniel, but which are somewhat smaller, have a shorter muzzle, an upturned nose, and sometimes a slight wave or curl to their coat: As is typical of the breed, both of our King Charles spaniels are very playful and affectionate.

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Origin of King Charles spaniel

First recorded in 1895–1900; named after Charles II of England from his liking for this variety

Words nearby King Charles spaniel

kinfolk, king, king bee, kingbird, kingbolt, King Charles spaniel, king closer, king cobra, King Cotton, King Country, king crab

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use King Charles spaniel in a sentence

Charles “Father” Coughlin, a raving anti-Semite, was one of the most popular radio hosts in the country.
Why Was Bess Myerson the First and Last Jewish Miss America?|Emily Shire|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
I wish I was a young Carole King, working in the Brill Building.
Belle & Sebastian Aren’t So Shy Anymore|James Joiner|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
As played by Omundson, King Richard is effeminate, sincere, and ten times funnier than everyone else.
‘Galavant’: A Drunken, Horny Musical Fairy Tale|Melissa Leon|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
But his words felt forced and were belied his 2004 vote to oppose marking Martin Luther King Jr.
Steve Scalise Shows There’s a Fine Line Between Confederate & Southern|Lloyd Green|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST

The last film about Martin Luther King was made for television in 1977.
Dr. King Goes to Hollywood: The Flawed History of ‘Selma’|Gary May|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The big room at King's Warren Parsonage was already fairly well filled.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
A fancy came into my head that I would entertain the king and queen with an English tune upon this instrument.
Gulliver's Travels|Jonathan Swift
The King of Delhi had a hunting-lodge somewhere in the locality, but he had never seen the place.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy
The archbishop of Manila sends to the king (July 30, 1621) an account of ecclesiastical and some other affairs in his diocese.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624|Various
The sad end of the mission to King M'Bongo has been narrated in the body of this work.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills

British Dictionary definitions for King Charles spaniel

King Charles spaniel

noun

a toy breed of spaniel with a short turned-up nose and a domed skull

cavalier King Charles spaniel a similar breed that is slightly larger and has a longer nose

Word Origin for King Charles spaniel

C17: named after Charles II of England, who popularized the breed

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