mastiff

American  

[mas-tif, mah-stif] / ˈmæs tɪf, ˈmɑ stɪf /

noun

1. one of a breed of large, powerful, short-haired dogs having an apricot, fawn, or brindled coat.

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mastiff British  

/ ˈmæstɪf /

noun

1. an old breed of large powerful short-haired dog, usually fawn or brindle with a dark mask

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Etymology

Origin of mastiff

1300–50; Middle English mastif, perhaps extracted from Anglo-French masti ( n ) s (taken as *mastifs ), plural of Old French mastin < Vulgar Latin ( canis ) *ma ( n ) suētīnus, derivative of Latin mansuētus tame, mild ( mansuetude )

Compare meaning

How does mastiff compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• mastiff vs. bullmastiff

Example Sentences

Another adaptation traced to a Tibetan wolf-like gene enables Tibetan mastiffs to tolerate low-oxygen environments in the Tibetan Plateau and the Himalayas.

From Science Daily

The Guinness World Record belongs to a Neapolitan mastiff, who gave birth to a litter of 24 puppies.

From BBC

They joked about sending their mastiff to the door next time.

From Salon

The runner-up was Viking, a Tibetan mastiff from Romania.

From BBC

I will take my French mastiff Rosie for a hike at Fryman Canyon to tucker her out for the day and also just feel like I moved on a Sunday.

From Los Angeles Times