whippet

American  

[whip-it, wip-] / ˈwhɪp ɪt, ˈwɪp- /

noun

1. one of a breed of small, swift dogs resembling a greyhound, used for hunting rabbits and for racing.

2. Also called whippet tank.  a fast, light tank used by the British in World War I.

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whippet British  

/ ˈwɪpɪt /

noun

1. a small slender breed of dog similar to a greyhound in appearance

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Etymology

Origin of whippet

First recorded in 1490–1500; perhaps alteration of phrase whip it move briskly

Explanation

A whippet is a small, sleek dog that resembles a greyhound and can run nearly as fast. Like greyhounds, whippets were originally bred for hunting, and both breeds were also used for competitive racing. Whippets are speedy dogs, and some experts say their name comes from the "move fast" meaning of whip. Others believe the source of whippet is the archaic whappet, "small, yapping dog," although most whippets are actually great apartment dogs that don't do much yapping!

Example Sentences

Shaun Reynolds, who lives near Swindon, lost his whippet Willow to Alabama Rot on 5 March.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2024

Instead, she found herself sequestered in a Gothic-style house, built in 1872, with her sister Judy, other family members and an aging rescue whippet named Bean.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 9, 2022

A Pekingese named Wasabi won best in show, beating out a whippet, a French bulldog, an old English sheepdog, a German shorthaired pointer, a Samoyed and a West Highland white terrier.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 29, 2021

Delta is her newest dog — Mesa describes her as a “mixy mix” of whippet, border collie and terrier.

From Washington Post • Sep. 14, 2021

Blade thin, six feet in height, straight as a sapling, bright eyed, taut; even motionless he seemed whippet quick.

From "The Princess Bride" by William Goldman