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

Ian Vollum, founder of Fat Whippet Yoga, moved his classes online during the pandemic and now says he has no plans to restart in-person sessions.

From BBC • May 14, 2022

A 4-year-old Whippet named Slingshot will be among those trying to break the Guinness World Record for farthest jump by a dock-diving dog — 31 feet — in Orlando, Fla., on Dec. 15.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 14, 2018

Whippet thin, he is flailing his arms, punching like a pugilist over the crowd, doing his best bantam rooster impersonation, snapping his hips every moment on stage.

From Forbes • May 21, 2015

Whippet thin, weighing just over 60 kilos, the Brazilian hardly looked like a street fighter.

From Newsweek • Jun. 25, 2012

The attack started at dawn and soon afterwards the valley past Fosse Wood was thronged with Whippet tanks and cavalry, waiting in case of a possible "break-through."

From The Fifth Leicestershire A Record Of The 1/5th Battalion The Leicestershire Regiment, T.F., During The War, 1914-1919. by Hills, John David