spaniel

American  

[span-yuhl] / ˈspæn yəl /

noun

1. one of any of several breeds of small or medium-sized dogs, usually having a long, silky coat and long, drooping ears.

2. a submissive, fawning, or cringing person.

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spaniel British  

/ ˈspænjəl /

noun

1. 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

2. either of two toy breeds of spaniel See King Charles spaniel

3. an obsequiously devoted person

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Other Word Forms

• spaniellike adjective

Etymology

Origin of spaniel

1350–1400; Middle English spaynel < Old French espaignol Spanish (dog), derivative of Espaigne Spain

Example Sentences

However, the black and white spaniel still happily greeted her rescuers with a wagging tail which "pulled on the heartstrings", she said.

From BBC

The springer spaniels, Thomas added, will work at a shoot on Boxing Day.

From BBC

Bailey, a three-and-half-year-old spaniel, had been used to help rehabilitate inmates.

From BBC

Seventy-eight springer spaniels were discovered living in a filthy house in South Yorkshire in April.

From BBC

Mazie was my sweet girl, a jaunty caramel-colored spaniel with bulgy brown eyes that radiated love, even in her final days when she fell almost every time she tried to stand.

From Los Angeles Times