spaniel
one of any of several breeds of small or medium-sized dogs, usually having a long, silky coat and long, drooping ears.
a submissive, fawning, or cringing person.
Origin of spaniel
1Other words from spaniel
- span·iel·like, adjective
Words Nearby spaniel
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use spaniel in a sentence
The plums came off the trees hot from the sun, and I had a cocker spaniel puppy that followed me everywhere I went.
If the cocker spaniel has to be booted out, then the cocker spaniel has to be booted out.
Perhaps more insulting than if she'd been another woman, Samantha was Altman's cocker spaniel.
You've got a splendid chance can spend what you like and rule in society and he'll subside into a tame spaniel.
Elster's Folly | Mrs. Henry WoodA tiny spaniel lay beside the fire, his beady black eyes following the nervous movements of the master of the house.
Dope | Sax Rohmer
Suddenly the spaniel leapt up with that feverish, spider-like activity of the toy species and began to bark.
Dope | Sax RohmerThe driver stopped of his own accord, and inquired what had happened, and then they saw that it was a spaniel that was hurt.
Minnie's Pet Monkey | Madeline LeslieThe spaniel held the great dog in awe, and never but once was known to go to the stable to see him.
Minnie's Pet Dog | Madeline Leslie
British Dictionary definitions for spaniel
/ (ˈspænjəl) /
any of several breeds of gundog with long drooping ears, a silky coat, and formerly a docked tail: See clumber spaniel, cocker spaniel, field spaniel, springer spaniel, Sussex spaniel, water spaniel
either of two toy breeds of spaniel: See King Charles spaniel
an obsequiously devoted person
Origin of spaniel
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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