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whippet

[whip-it, wip-]
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noun

one of a breed of small, swift dogs resembling a greyhound, used for hunting rabbits and for racing.
Also called whippet tank. a fast, light tank used by the British in World War I.

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Nearby words

  1. whiplash,
  2. whiplash injury,
  3. whipped,
  4. whipper-in,
  5. whippersnapper,
  6. whipping,
  7. whipping boy,
  8. whipping cream,
  9. whipping post,
  10. whipple

Origin of whippet

First recorded in 1490–1500; perhaps alteration of phrase whip it move briskly
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for whippet

British Dictionary definitions for whippet

whippet

noun

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

Word Origin for whippet

C16: of uncertain origin; perhaps based on the phrase whip it! move quickly!
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for whippet

whippet

n.

small, fast type of dog, c.1600, probably from whip (v.) in the sense of "move quickly" + diminutive suffix -et Used earlier (1540s) in reference to "a brisk, nimble woman."

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper