pup

[puhp]

noun

1. a young dog; puppy.

2. the young of certain other animals, as the rat, shark, or fur seal.

3. a small plant developing as an offshoot from a mature plant.

verb (used without object)

pupped, pupping 

1. to give birth to pups.

pup

/ pʌp /

noun

1. 1. a young dog, esp when under one year of age; puppy

   2. the young of various other animals, such as the seal

2. (of a bitch) pregnant

3. informal,  a conceited young man (esp in the phrase young pup )

4. to swindle someone by selling him something worthless

5. slang,  it's early yet

verb

1. (of dogs, seals, etc) to give birth to (young)

Word History and Origins

Origin of pup¹

First recorded in 1580–90; shortened variant of puppy

Word History and Origins

Origin of pup¹

C18: back formation from _puppy

Example Sentences

When Daisy was a pup, Koerner began planting dozens of native plants near the Aleppo pines and fig trees, creating what he called their campground arboretum.

From Los Angeles Times

Rats do not hibernate, so when exposed to the cold, it can kill them outright or result in them producing fewer pups, as baby rats are known – which in turn slows population growth.

From BBC

However, she actually gave birth to 12 healthy pups a week earlier than expected, while Tilly's owner Meirion Thomas was abroad with his own family.

From BBC

Others expressed similar anxieties about wanting to keep their loved ones — from pups to parents — safe.

From Los Angeles Times

The good news is that both pups and people afflicted with anaplasmosis typically recover quickly with antibiotics.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• baby 
• brood 
• child 
• cub 
• daughter 
• descendant 
• generation 
• heir 
• kid 
• progeny 
• son