Pekingese

American  

[pee-kuh-neez, -nees, pee-king-eez, -ees] / ˌpi kəˈniz, -ˈnis, ˌpi kɪŋˈiz, -ˈis /

Also Pekinese

noun

plural

Pekingese

1. one of a Chinese breed of small dogs having a long, silky coat.

2. the standard Chinese language.

3. the dialect of Peking.

4. a native or inhabitant of Peking.

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Peking.

Pekingese British  

/ ˌpiːkəˈniːz, ˌpiːkɪŋˈiːz /

noun

1. a small breed of pet dog with a profuse straight coat, curled plumed tail, and short wrinkled muzzle

2. the dialect of Mandarin Chinese spoken in Beijing (formerly Peking), the pronunciation of which serves as a standard for the language

3. a native or inhabitant of Beijing (formerly Peking)

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adjective

1. of or relating to Beijing (formerly Peking) or its inhabitants

Etymology

Origin of Pekingese

First recorded in 1840–50; Peking + -ese

Example Sentences

There he met Peter and his two Pekingese chihuahuas, the only living things he now considers family.

From BBC • Dec. 25, 2024

When I was growing up, my first memories as a little girl were. . . there was a Pekingese that I used to tease relentlessly, and she used to bite me.

From Salon • Sep. 28, 2024

The prize for reserve best in show, or runner-up, went to the winner of the toy group, a Pekingese named Rummie, from breeder and owner David Fitzpatrick.

From Reuters • May 10, 2023

Roxie, a Pekingese, beat out the competition in the toy group to advance to the final stage:

From Los Angeles Times • May 9, 2023

The men who fought the American Revolution were no more like these D.A.R. dames than I’m a pot-bellied, perfumed Pekingese dog.

From "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" by Carson McCullers